[Online] IM football offers shot at prized T-shirt

As the field lights heat up, the wind chill causes students to
shift into their winter wardrobe, taking out beanies and scarves as
the temperature nears California’s freezing point of 60
degrees.

While many run back to the dorms or apartments after a cool day,
trying to avoid the nippy evening, others stretch and scheme for
the Intramural flag football playoffs.

IM football is played during the fall. The sport is broken down
into five groups: co-ed, women’s, men’s, the
Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) and the newly formed Office of
Residential Life (ORL) division specifically for floors on the
hill.

On Nov. 25, the co-ed, women’s and men’s C’s
and B’s divisions competed in their respective championship
games.

After a grueling five-week regular season, teams had to adjust
to the IM flag football rules, as well as the simple factor of
having all players present every week on the field. These teams
were able to win two out of the four games played to gain a berth
in the playoffs.

“We lost our first two games, and have won every game
since,” fifth-year student David Ruiz said.

One might wonder what would drive these students, whose lives
are filled with midterms, papers and finals, to come out in the
cold, argue with referees and nag friends to be punctual for game
times.

“The Stride for the Shirt” motivates these student
athletes to come out and compete. In every IM sport, the prize for
winning the championship game is a white T-shirt with “UCLA
Intramurals” spelled across the chest.

But what is in a shirt?

“Other than not having to do as much laundry, we became
the best floor on the hill,” said second-year student Daniel
Atherton of the D8 Ballers. “It brought us together. We had
to believe in ourselves and become a cohesive team.”

Along with the extra cash saved from the washing machine, the
shirt brings pride to many of the participants. With the shirt
comes bragging rights.

One thing that makes IM flag football different from other
sports is that it is much more accessible than organized games.

“This is my fourth year playing and I love it. I
don’t really get to play organized football and it’s
nice to be able to play with friends and be able to meet new
ones,” Ruiz said.

While the guys bond as they often do through sports, sweating
and slapping each other on the butts, IM football allows women to
go out onto the gridiron and also get physical.

“Football is really cool,” Kathleen
“Shorty” Ty said. “Us fourth-years try and
represent and try to stay on top above the underclassmen. We want
them to know that we are the team to beat.”