Though rain cancelled the first round of intramural softball games scheduled for last weekend, it did not dampen the spirits of one team that knew it would have plenty of other opportunities for competition.

With the core group all hailing from Cadillac, Mich., these friends have registered about 20 different teams that span in almost all intramural sports since their freshman year, playing two or three different sports each season.

“It’s a lot of fun, a lot of competition and you get to meet a lot of new people,” said Curtis Davy, who played baseball in high school.

Davy was one of the three original Cadillac High School alumni who came to Grand Valley State University and started their intramural careers freshman year after a Resident Assistant recruited them for flag football.

Now in their senior year, the men have expanded their roster and athletic ability as they put together teams in softball, flag football, basketball, indoor and outdoor soccer and beach and indoor volleyball.

“Our team is good because we’ve added people and we keep meeting new people,” Davy said. “I like getting to play with all my friends in a competitive atmosphere.”

Davy has played alongside his high school friends and current roommates, Corey Lake and Matt Schroeder. They usually register for the co-ed C league, the least competitive of the intramural leagues. Michelle Champlin, also a Cadillac alumna, is one of the women who consistently signs up for their teams. Despite the C league ranking, Davy said they still compete and hope to do well, especially in soccer, this year.

Schroeder, who joked he was “dragged into it by his friends,” said he just likes the change to play.

“Every knows it’s for fun,” said Schroeder, who played tennis and soccer in high school. He also recommended intramurals for current freshmen as a way to get involved on campus and meet more people. Schroeder could not compete last year due to health complications, but he is ready to rejoin some of the teams this year.

During their sophomore year, Davy, Lake and Schroeder reunited with Jordan Bailey, a high school friend who transferred to GVSU after spending a year at Alma College. Bailey also joined the intramural squads.

Bailey described intramurals as cheap and fun, saying “it brings people together through exercise.”

The long history among most of the team members provides added incentive for Bailey.

“We’re closely bonded because not only do we participate in intramural sports together, but we’re such good friends,” he said.

He agreed with his teammates saying soccer is their strongest sport, though Schroeder was the only one who played it in high school.

“Some people may feel like they should not participate in intramural sports, but I think they should,” Bailey said. He cited maintaining fitness and building confidence to meet more people as some of the other advantages to intramural sports.

Registration for most fall sports has closed, though 6-on-6 volleyball and rowing are still accepting teams. A complete schedule of intramural events is available on their website at www.gvsu.edu/rec.

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