Leopard pride showcased during intramural games

by Adrian Medrano
Staff Writer

The intramural soccer season kicked off two weeks ago and each Wednesday night teams have been battling each other for bragging rights.

Despite the late start, intramural soccer is now in action at the University of La Verne.

Approximately 100 players participate on nine teams on a rotating schedule.

The indoor soccer season, which usually starts in the fall semester, had no one to take charge of it before intramural coordinator Jay Aguila stepped in.

“We were hoping to have intramural volleyball too, but since soccer started off late, we’ll only be able to have soccer and basketball,” Aguila said.

Aguila, a junior communications major, runs the program by himself, but receives the necessary financial assistance from the Associated Student Federation Forum.

Each night has been successful with many students showing up to play or cheer for their fellow students.

Each week Aguila has provided music for the players and fans to enjoy throughout the games.

Aguila also serves as scorekeeper and referee for all games played.

As the season progresses, teams will be eliminated. The teams that survive will move on to the playoffs, which will take place three weeks after spring break.

Intramural playoffs were originally planned to start four weeks after spring break, but that schedule would have conflicted with the intramural basketball schedule.

Intramural soccer gives students an opportunity to have a good time, whether they are playing to win a championship, or they are playing simply to have fun.

“Playing indoor soccer is a lot of fun,” said sophomore Kevin Knosp, a participant of intramural soccer. “It gives me a chance to do something that I would have never done on my own.”

Some of the teams include players, former players and future players from ULV’s soccer team.

The early favorites of the season include the Chi Delta Omicron team, the Phi Delta Theta team, and the team simply known as Chet’s team.

“A lot of people take it very seriously,” Aguila said. “There are a lot of good players.”

According to Aguila, the Phi Delts feel that it is tradition for them to win the title, but this year the competition is very tough.

“This is my third year playing indoor soccer,” said junior Oscar Alvarez, of the team Pythons. “Hopefully my team could go all the way and win the championship this time.”

Although the intramurals started late, the participants are having a great time.

Aguila hopes to be the intramural coordinator next year as well.

He says that although this year’s start has been great, next year’s intramural season will be better organized.

Anyone who is interested in cheering on the teams as they fight for a spot in the playoffs can watch the teams play every Wednesday night starting at 10 p.m. on in the Old Gym.