Hola, estudiantes del compañero.
Don’t mind that, I just felt the need to greet you all in Spanish.
Anyway, another school year is upon us and, unfortunately, there is no way to squeeze a few more weeks out of the summer.
The pain is here.
Coming back to campus means being forced to adapt to and observe a lot of new stuff, including classes, classmates, professors and, in the dorms, new floormates.
But as much as we all hate to be in school again, there are some things that make semesters worthwhile.
At the top of the list are the parties, seeing drunken people make fools of themselves, getting the chance to hang out with people you’ve only been able to chat with during the summer and reading The State News’ police briefs.
Personally, I look forward to all of those things, but there is one more thing I’m adding to the list - IM sports.
Yes, IM sports.
It’s fun to watch MSU’s varsity sports teams play, but nothing beats playing competitively yourself.
As sure as the varsity teams will start their seasons, so will the various IM sports.
From touch football to basketball to softball and much more, the IM program probably has something close to what you’re looking for. Not only is participating a good way to stay in shape, but also a great way to build friendships on your floor, at your office or elsewhere.
My personal favorite is IM football. It’s somewhat ironic, but I’ve grown to love this sport after originally thinking it was stupid. As a matter of fact, I once thought there was nothing worse than IM football, especially after my freshman floor team was pounded in the first game.
The league provides for seven-on-seven football with “Air Force” rules. There’s no tackling (it’s one-hand touch) and linemen can’t use their hands to block.
I used to call it “one-hand touch, sissyball.”
But “sissyball” has become an extracurricular staple of mine. Win or lose, I always have a great time.
Air Force rules take a little bit of time to adjust to, but they’re actually kind of cool once you get over the lack of contact.
Being able to throw forward passes - no matter where you are on the field - allows for creativity and free-flowing play. Half the fun of IM football is being able to draw up your own plays - like when you were 9 years old and you used to diagram the plays in the palm of your hand.
Anyway, here are two points of advice to help you with your transition into IM football - practice against another team before you play your first game. Nothing is better than experience.
Secondly, if your team is comprised mostly of beginners, don’t get discouraged when you lose your first game. It could even get kind of ugly.
While the other team is running up the score, just remember that you’ll get to feast upon inexperienced freshman teams next year. And you can steal plays from other teams. After you get the hang of things, you’ll be talking trash in no time.
If you’re at the point where you’re the one running up the score on opposing teams, then it’s time to holla at my team. We’ll have you begging for mercy, just like people who are forced to watch CBS all day.
If football doesn’t satisfy your athletic appetite, try basketball, soccer, softball or any of the other IM sports.
Whatever sport you choose to compete in can make living on your dorm floor even better. There aren’t many better ways to build friendships and camaraderie with your floormates than to participate in IM sports.
The best acquaintance-makers on campus are PlayStation 2, IM sports and illegal substances. Oh, it’s true.
Well, hopefully, I’ve convinced you to participate in something this fall.
And if it’s IM football, I’ll see you in the playoffs, chump. Holla back.
Romando J. Dixson, a State News sports writer, is starting an IM football fantasy league. He can be reached at dixsonro@msu.edu.
