Henry Abbott

During our four long years at Bowdoin, we have both immersed ourselves in a number of intramural leagues; together, we’ve played over 20 seasons of three different sports. Through Bowdoin intramural (IM) sports, we have refined our fine motor skills, met new friends and learned important virtues like patience and good sportsmanship. We excitedly look forward to every new season of whatever sport is on offer, and, on game day, we usually have a blast. However, recently, we have noticed a worrying trend. More and more frequently, teams seem to not show up for a game they are scheduled for. It is time to curb the epidemic of intramural forfeitures and bring the passion back to IM sports.

Our soccer team, the Brunsvegas Celtics, has experienced glorious highs and lows, from only winning games by forfeit our first year to playing in the B league championship game last year. We’ve seen it all and loved every minute. This season, however, was different. Due to a series of forfeits, we ended up not having a game for over a month, basically until the playoffs started (where we promptly lost, likely due to a lack of conditioning). Every game, rain or shine, we journeyed to Farley in vaguely similar-colored shirts only to be met with no-shows. One of the most joyous parts of Bowdoin Fall was taken from us because our peers were unwilling to commit to the sport they had signed up to compete in.

Historically, basketball has been the most consistent IM sport at Bowdoin. Whether 3v3 or 5v5, teams have regularly shown up to test their mettle on the court. High energy, often competitive and always a great workout, basketball may be the most popular IM offering at the College. Yet, we have noticed that this no-show disease has even spread to our beloved hoops. Just a few days ago, we walked into Morrell Gymnasium, hearts aflame with passion for the game. After realizing no one had shown up to face us, we promptly walked out, dejected, distressed and disappointed. That was the night we said, “no more!”

At Bowdoin, we pride ourselves on being the kind of people who buy in. We attend lectures on niche, esoteric topics. We take classes that are outside our majors and beyond our comfort zones. We engage in political discourse, we work at the Bowdoin Review and we write op-eds in the student newspaper. It is long past time to buy into IM sports as well.

From our own experience, we know what IM can be when everyone buys in. It is sensational headed goals made by someone you least expect. It is handshakes or high-fives at the end of a hard-fought match. It is the team dinner before each game and the long, tactical debrief on the bike ride home. But lately we are becoming more familiar with what IM can look like when people don’t buy in. It is that sadness and frustration you feel when no one shows up to play. It is that excited walk to the pitch and then the cold, lonely walk home. It is the missed opportunity to connect with others in the Bowdoin community. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

We urge you to take IM sports seriously. Show up, play hard, have fun and meet some new people. Get invested in your record and get amped up on game day. Maybe even celebrate the end of the season with a beautiful Thorne dining hall banquet. Regardless of what buying in means to you, we think everyone should treat IM sports with the respect they deserve. At a small school like ours, intramurals are a sleeping giant. Wouldn’t you like to see that giant roar?