 |
| News > New season on horizon - Activities amp up fitness, camaraderie |
|
|
| |
| Photos | |
 |
A basketball game at the Maxwell gym inspires spirited competition. (Air Force photo/Christopher Baldwin)
|
Download HiRes
|
|
|
|
New season on horizon - Activities amp up fitness, camaraderie
Posted 7/15/2011 Updated 7/15/2011
Email story
Print story
by Christopher Kratzer
Air University Public Affairs
7/15/2011 - MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Don't be fooled by the heat outside. Fall is right around the corner and with it comes fall intramural sports.
Charles Atchley, the sports director for Maxwell, said he is excited about this year's sports, including football, ultimate frisbee, wally ball and basketball.
Ultimate frisbee will kick the season off on Oct. 4, followed by football on Oct. 25 and wally ball on Nov. 29. Basketball will start at the end of the flag football season in either December or January.
Atchley said he expects a pretty good turnout this year, especially in football and basketball.
"Participation varies from year to year, but we typically have 8-12 teams in flag football and 3-6 in both ultimate frisbee and wally ball. Basketball usually has around 12 teams," Atchley said.
There are obvious health benefits to participating in intramural sports. It's an excellent way to relieve stress, but it's also a chance to get to know your fellow Airmen, according to Atchley, as the team dynamic in these sports reinforces the Air Force wingman concept.
"It is important for our Airmen to participate in intramural sports because it gives them the chance to come out, blow off some steam and realize that there is more to the military than work. It also helps keep them active, especially with the sports that involve a lot of running," Atchley said. "The best part of intramurals, though, is the camaraderie that develops among the participants."
Tech. Sgt. Joshua Leist of Air Force Program Executive Office, Enterprise Information Systems, who is a unit sports representative and a participant himself, agreed with Atchley that intramurals are not only a lot of fun but also a way to broaden his horizons beyond the people he works with every day.
"For me, the best part is the interaction with teammates that I do not work with on a daily basis," Leist said. "Intramural sports are a great way to exercise in a different way than the usual PT activities and to have fun."
Atchley said he hopes Airmen will be excited about the upcoming sports season and reminds them to be on the lookout for more info coming in the near future.
"People need to watch for emails from the squadron sports representatives which will be forwarded from the sports director," Atchley said.
A flyer will be posted on the intramural sports bulletin board at the entrance of the Maxwell Fitness Center, he said, or they can contact the sports director at 953-7894 for information on intramural sports. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
More Stories