BROWNWOOD – November 7, 2017 – Howard Payne University intramural sports have been a facet of student life on the university’s campus for many years. The program continues this year with a new coordinator, new sports and a new web-based management program.
Wes Curton, resident director for Jennings Hall, has taken on the role of intramural coordinator in addition to his current responsibilities at HPU. He joined the HPU staff in 2015 after completing his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and youth leadership development from Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana. Curton enjoys intramural sports and, since becoming coordinator, looks for ways to refresh the existing intramural program and bring in even more participants.
Curton made the decision to use IMLeagues, which has been a positive experience for him and HPU. This web-based program gives the university the ability to set up online team registrations, schedule games and keep track of team stats and records. Participants and coordinators can also engage in the intramural community at HPU through the IMLeagues app on their smartphones or tablets.
“We are excited about the functionality that IMLeagues gives us,” said Curton. “So far, participation this year in intramurals has increased from previous years. For example, last season there were nine teams across two sports – ultimate frisbee and Spikeball. This season, there are 26 teams between volleyball and ping-pong.”
HPU faculty and staff are also welcome to participate in any intramural sport along with the students. In fact, Curton says he encourages more to do so. He also stated that the participation from faculty and staff in intramural sports helps bridge the gap between the students and the HPU employees and provides another good environment for personal growth for the students.
In keeping with the mission of HPU, the intramural program strives to provide a recreational program that will enable students to grow physically, spiritually and emotionally while encouraging sportsmanship and fair play.
“Intramurals is a great component of HPU campus life and it is exciting to see the implementation of IMLeagues and new sports this year,” said Dr. Magen Bunyard, vice president for student life and dean of students. “I’m thankful for the capable and enthusiastic leadership of Wes Curton as he enhances our campus community by providing quality opportunities for student involvement.”
Throughout the school year, participants can choose to play flag football, Spikeball, sand volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, dodgeball, ping-pong and/or basketball as the intramural season for each sport arrives. More sports will be brought into the rotation each year as involvement and interest increase.
“I look forward to seeing HPU’s intramural community continue to grow as new sports are added and as students, faculty and staff catch the vision for involvement and community with each other,” said Curton. “Intramurals are a great way to do that and the students seem happy with the changes. In my opinion, if they are satisfied, then we are doing something right.”
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Cutlines: 1. HPU students participate in intramural sand volleyball on campus.
2. Wes Curton, HPU resident director and intramural coordinator, gives the rules for an intramural sand volleyball games to current students.
3. HPU students and staff members compete in the intramural sport of Spikeball.