The Colby Echo

Issue date: 4/13/07 Section: Opinions

Intramural sports at Colby are separated into two levels of play: competitive and recreational. However, when it really comes down to it, it's all competitive. Sure a lot of people participate in an I-Play sport because they want to have fun. Or maybe they are former athletes looking to relive their athletic glory days. Or maybe they gave someone a vague verbal agreement that they'll play and then never show up for a single game. But deep down, everyone plays an I-Play sport for one thing: the t-shirt.

One of the best prizes/awards offered at Colby are the I-Play champion t-shirts. With shirts only handed out to the victorious team in each I-Play sport at both the competitive and recreational levels, these shirts are a rarity on campus. The challenge of getting a shirt combined with the relative few people on campus who actually have one make the shirt a priceless commodity. Money just can't buy one of these shirts.

The feelings associated with winning an I-Play championship extend beyond words. When the game has finished and your team comes out on top, there are few feelings in the world that can top it. I have been lucky enough to have participated in two I-Play softball recreational league championship games, and I have been on both the winning and losing sides. Winning the softball championship was one of those lasting memories that I will have of Colby forever. I continue to wear my I-Play champions t-shirt with great pride to this day. On the other hand, losing the softball championship was painful. It's always hard watching another team celebrating after they have destroyed your dreams of wearing a championship shirt.

In some ways, the competition for these shirts takes the intramural out of I-Play, especially when it comes to the recreational league. When you're arguing balls and strikes, safe or out, or just arguing for the sake of arguing, then the power that the shirt wields over you may have become too much. That said, if you ever start referring to a championship shirt as your "precious", then you have a problem and need to take a serious five. But come on, what is sport really without a little competitiveness?

Supposedly, I-Play softball is going to begin soon. Whenever Mother Nature decides to cooperate, spring will be in full bloom. For me, the spring at Colby is special because of I-Play softball. And it will be even more special with a bright-colored, I-Play championship t-shirt...PLAY BALL!!!

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