Extramurals brings SAU to next level

Nov. 18, 2004
By Tim Musachio
Staff Writer

The intramural sports program at St. Ambrose provides competition and fun for those who don’t compete in varsity athletics. The programs are designed to get students involved and active in a way that they wouldn’t otherwise.

Intramural sports have increased dramatically over the past three years under the direction of J.T. Timmons. The director of Campus Recreation has made changes that have the program headed for success.

The program has expanded on the number of activities that are available. One of those new activities is flag football. Last year was the first time that St. Ambrose offered the sport as an option with both men and women competing.

Last year was also the first time St. Ambrose competed in an extramural program. Extramurals includes competition with other colleges and universities from around the country. Timmons believed it was time for St. Ambrose to expand and join the program.

“I had seen Augustana perform in it the last couple of years,” Timmons said. “I felt we needed to get involved in this program. It’s a great opportunity.”

Only flag football and men’s basketball were part of the initial extramural program. The flag football team lost it’s only game of the year to Augustana. For basketball Timmons assembled an all-star team from intramurals to play against other schools. The team went 5-5 including tournaments at University of Iowa and Western Illinois University.

This year’s extramural flag football team was comprised of the winning team from the intramural season. Their only game was against Augustana College in an exhibition this past October. The Bees fell to the Vikings 26-12. Having only played two games in the last two years Timmons wants to play more and compete in national tournaments.

“There are a couple tournaments at the University of Iowa and Nebraska that we would eventually like to participate in,” Timmons said. “If not this year then somewhere down the road.”

Extramural basketball won’t be played until the spring. Right now there is a pre-season intramural basketball league. This gives Timmons and his staff time to prepare student officials for the regular season coming up this winter. There will be a signup in January for teams wanting to play in the regular season intramural program. Timmons said there may be tryouts from those regular season teams to compete next spring for the extramural team.

Volleyball will also be offered as an extramural sport. This year 37 teams participated in intramural volleyball, which was the largest the program had ever included. With the season just wrapping up the extramural season will begin shortly.

Overall Timmons is very pleased about the early success of the extramural program. Timmons feels it is a work in progress.

“We’re still a few years behind everyone at this point,” Timmons said. “We are definitely headed in the right direction.”

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