New Intramural Sports Policy

Planning on skipping your Broomball game? It’ll cost you.

For Spring Semester 2010, UNH Campus Recreation has instituted a new policy regarding intramural sports.

Starting this upcoming intramural season, if a player fails to attend the mandatory captain’s meeting for the sport/and or playoffs, if a team fails to have enough participants and forfeits their first game, or if a team chooses to be added to a league after signups, the team captain will be charged $20.

Campus Recreation argues that the implementation of this policy is necessary and that its purpose is to strengthen the program.

“It ultimately costs you, the participants, more money when teams request to be added late only to forfeit. We lose facility flexibility with the increase in teams and there is an added inconvenience to the opposing team who has no opponent. It costs money in officiating, ice times, and office staff.”

The office asserts that teams that simply show up will not be penalized.

Some students agree with the decision. Sophomore athlete, Eliza Mackintosh, comments,

"I think that campus rec's new policy is completely reasonable, especially for teams that take their games seriously. It creates more accountability for intramural teams in general."

Having been both a referee and an athlete, junior Eric Vindigni also supports the policy.

“I had a game tonight where the other team didn't show up. It's extremely frustrating considering, for hockey anyway, that the regular season is only 3 games long. Now since that team forfeited, our next game isn't for another two weeks. The whole idea of intramurals is just to play the sport.”

Despite positive overall support, not all are happy with the new rule.

“I think it’s stupid. Maybe you should be disqualified, but you shouldn’t have to pay,” opines intramural participant, Joseph Veneziano.

No matter one’s thoughts on the policy, as of this week, it takes effect. As the season progresses, time will tell whether or not it ultimately improves the quality of the program.