At this school, student athletes may face academic pressure, adversity from other teams and lengthy practice hours. Because school sports may require commitments and sacrifices that some students are unable to make, CHS offers some alternatives to playing school sports, such as intramural sports. Junior Spencer Walter has played intramural kickball, dodgeball and basketball at this school.

“I played intramurals to get involved in the school and have fun playing sports I liked with friends,” Walter said. “Intramurals are just for fun, so there is no pressure playing them.”

Intramural sports offer a variety of different sports and activities for students who prefer a different experience than that of being involved in a school sport. Intramural sports director Mike Meyer took over the position this year after working with the program last year. He said he wants to offer more sports this year and increase the popularity of intramural sports.

According to Meyer, there have been more students participating in intramural sports this year.

“I think (having more students playing intramural sports) is great. The more students that are involved in something they are passionate about the better experience they will have at CHS,” Meyer said.

Meyer said he decided to take over the intramural sports program this year after the previous sponsors stopped. According to Meyer, one of the previous intramural sports sponsors was too busy to continue sponsoring the program, and another took a position at a different school. Along with Meyer, Wes Drew and Matt Petersen are also intramural sports supervisors.

“I felt it was an opportunity for me to take over and continue running the program and hopefully even improve it,” Meyer said.

Winter intramural basketball has drawn many students to play more. There are 32 intramural basketball teams this year, with at least five players on each team.

According to the intramural sports website, the 3 on 3 basketball tournament will start in April, and flag football will start in early May.

Meyer said this year he has discussed over 17 sports with the intramural sports board members, but not all of them may be implemented.

“As of right now, we have about four (sports) set in stone,” Meyer said. “But as we move forward, we are trying to see if we can get enough people involved, then we will expand.”

Brandon Lugar, intramural sports board member and senior, said he is looking forward to offering more sports this year than in previous years. Lugar has participated in intramural sports in all four of his years at this school.

“I’ve been involved with intramurals since freshman year,” Lugar said. “When I came into Carmel High School, I didn’t want to try out for the basketball team because I wasn’t really interested in it, but I still wanted to play basketball. So I did Carmel Dads Club and I did intramurals. I have loved it ever since so I just keep trying to get more and more involved.”

Walter said that he started playing intramural sports because he was looking for a way to play sports with friends despite his talent level.

“Intramural (sports are) much more lax and fun, while school sports are too serious,” Walter said. “I prefer intramural (sports) because (they) allow me to play what sports I want, even if I stink.”

Meyer said intramural sports also provide students with time restraints the opportunity to play sports outside of school.

“(Intramural sports) offer the opportunity where if you want to play basketball, for example, we’ll have one night a week where you can still get your workout in, participate in a game that’s fun and enjoyable, and be with your friends,” Meyer said.

Lugar, who has been on the football team since his freshman year, said he liked intramural sports because they gave him another chance to compete.

“I just like to compete,” Lugar said. “I love all sports, so if I have a chance to compete and do something outside of school instead of just sitting at home doing nothing, it gets me out of the house and I do it.”

Walter and Meyer both said they encourage underclassmen especially to join and get involved with intramural sports.

“(Underclassmen) are the future of the league, and I think they’ll find that intramurals are fun for anyone,” Walter said. “(Intramural sports) let everyone enjoy themselves while still being competitive to the extent they want to be.”

Meyer said the registration fee for intramural sports varies. According to Meyer, there is a $50 team fee for the five on five intramural winter basketball league.

Lugar said that the best way for students to find out more about intramural sports is to get involved with them.

“Just sign up. My freshman year we had a lot of numbers and people playing, and I feel like the numbers have gone down each year,” Lugar said. “It makes it more fun and more competitive if there are more people out there. If more people sign up, it will be a lot more fun.”