By Chet Broberg, University Recreation
PULLMAN, Wash. – Open leagues and fraternity and sorority leagues are being added as options this semester for Washington State University intramural sports.
Open leagues will not require students to disclose their gender, and teams can be composed of any combination of players. Coed leagues with minimum gender requirements will continue.
With the additions, University Recreation intends to involve more students in intramurals and continue its commitment to foster an inclusive environment promoting acceptance and cooperation.
After researching what other universities were doing, the unit settled on open leagues.
“All intramural sports allow for students to participate in accordance with their consistently asserted gender identity,” said UREC coordinator DJ Mackie. “But open leagues have the specific purpose of eliminating barriers that might restrict participation.
“The hope is that it will get more students to play with another avenue that suits them,” Mackie said. “Participation can provide students with the opportunities to have fun, learn new sports, meet people from other cultures, test their physical ability as well as break from the school routine.”
Learn more about leagues at http://www.imleagues.com/spa/intramural/d758764303ac4950a5d429c00ec75fe1/home. Learn more about WSU intramural sports at http://urec.wsu.edu/imsports.