Intramurals draws crowd for bowling

 Bowling might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Austin Community College, but students enjoyed bowling at Westgate Lanes Thursday, Sept. 24 courtesy of the Intramural and Recreation Program.  About 50 people attended. Free food and white T-shirts with an Intramural design were provided.

"I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a lot of fun," said Chelsea Ponders, a political science major that attended this event.

The Intramural and Recreation Program is part of Student Life and was created by Jennifer Flowers, the South Austin Campus Student Life coordinator. So far this fall semester, Blazer Tag and bowling have been offered, and there are ten events scheduled for next month.

Golf, two more Blazer Tags, the beginning of the soccer league, and a volleyball tournament are among the events scheduled.

"Turn out is absolutely amazing. We have over 500 students participating in Intramurals. It's gratifying to see students coming to these events.  They are quiet and shy, but by the end of the night they are chatting and talking about the next event," said Flowers. 

Nicole Harris, a business management major who recently moved from Pennsylvania to Austin because she thinks the economy is better here, participated in the bowling event.

"This is the second time in my life I've ever bowled. I love it. It's awesome. Should we do this again? Are you kidding me?  ACC needs to do this every week," said Harris.

Having fun, although certainly an aim of the program, isn't the entire scope of it.  There are other benefits to participating in Intramural and Recreation Program events according to Flowers.

"Students who participate in the recreational events tend to develop positive self images, awareness of strength, increased tolerance and self control, stronger social interaction skills and maturity because they learn to work with other students while having fun," said Flowers.

It is an opportunity for students to network with other students as well as connect with college, enhance leadership skills, and improve retention.  It seems to be working in that aspect according to those that attended.

"I met a lot of cool people," said Ponder.

Student Life wants students to get more bang for their buck with these events. The student activity fee of $2 per credit hour funds these events and has already been charged to all students.

"Whenever we have activities on campuses, students need to know they've paid for these events already.  It's like you paid for a gym membership but don't use it.  That's why we try to get students to participate. We (Student Life) are the greatest department," said Flowers.

Tyler Stangeland participated and experienced some of the benefits of what the fee already paid for. He is doing a certificate program to be a firefighter and then getting an Associate Degree in Fire Science based out of East View Campus.

"I'm from Chicago, so getting out and being able to meet new people, that was nice.  It was competitive, but no one got too serious. We were throwing the balls between our legs and acting like goof balls," said Stangeland.

For all of these events, ACC has had to go to other facilities, off campus.  This is especially true for sports like basketball or volleyball, and SL has to find accommodations at places such as the Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center and the Austin Sports Center. Flowers suggests another option:

"Maybe that would be a great story, why don't we have a nice recreation center with a gym just for ACC?"