When I arrived on campus three years ago, I realized it would be all too
easy to forgo my fitness and become physically and competitively inactive.
Having played sports in high school, I was afraid that because I didn't
continue playing at the collegiate varsity level, I wouldn't have a chance
to take part in some of my favorite pastimes. Luckily for me, MTSU has a
terrific intramural program that allows students a chance to stay active and
have fun while doing so.

It began with flag football in my first semester, and ever since then I have
have participated in a variety of sports every year: football, volleyball,
soccer, softball, men's leagues, coed leagues, fraternity leagues, you name
it. Despite my extensive involvement, I'm sorry to say that I have never
taken home a championship. My teams have reached several finals, but never
gotten a hold of those ubiquitous blue "Intramural Champions" shirts. After
my coed flag football team bowed out in the playoffs last week, my last best
hope for the fall semester was fraternity volleyball.

Our team came into the playoffs Tuesday night with an undefeated record, a
first-round bye. and a lot of confidence. Having seen the other teams play,
we were confident that the trophy would be ours. Inexplicably, however, all
six of us managed to have a terribly off night, and we were defeated in the
semifinals. For some of my teammates, it was just another game. For me, with
the history I have in intramurals, it was a bit more than that. Needless to
say, I took the defeat pretty hard. Many people who know me don't realize
how competitive I actually am!

I had originally intended this entry as a story of success, chronicling my
eventual triumph and complimented by a photo of my team posing after the
championship match. Instead, I've had the chance to share the other side,
which is just as important. Rest assured, though, that when arena football
season rolls around, I'll be ready to take the field again. After all, I'm
going to get one of those blue shirts sooner or later.