This year at Michigan State, things are back in full swing at IM West, IM East and IM Circle for IM Sports after being off in 2020-21 and with restrictions in 2021-22 with masks and other precautions.

“We're going full bore,” Assistant Director of Recreational Sports and Fitness Services Ross Winter said. “Last year, we played all of our outdoor activities in the fall, full bore. We started with masks in the spring semester, but that got removed later on. We dealt with that as it went on. We don't anticipate any hang-ups this semester or this year either.”

The cost of participation is relatively low at $10 a person and $25 to enter as a team, in addition to the $10 individual cost.

Here’s a rundown of everything IM Sports at MSU will be offering this fall for students.

Pickleball

Season length: Sept. 19 - Oct. 6

If you enjoy tennis or ping pong, this sport is for you.

Playing on a gym floor with a ground-level net, players rally back and forth hitting the ball over the net in a tennis or ping pong style match with plastic paddles. Teams have to be a minimum of two, but upwards of four to switch in and out, if needed.

Tennis

Season length: Sept. 1 - Oct. 31

A singles league, tennis is a great way to meet people and play on indoor or outdoor tennis courts around MSU’s campus.

Indoor Volleyball

Season length: Oct. 9- Nov. 3

Male, female and co-ed leagues are available for indoor volleyball if you’re looking to avoid the weather in the Michigan fall. A 6v6 match, but teams can roster 15 people to rotate on the court.

Sand Volleyball

Season length: Sept. 19 - Oct. 6 or 20

This one may be a little cold at times considering you’re not on the beaches in California, but the sand nets in East Lansing will have to do.

There are four sand volleyball leagues to participate in from men’s, women’s, co-ed and open. Teams must consist of at least four players and upwards of eight players with the exception of 12 in co-ed.

Cornhole

Season length: Sept. 21 - Oct. 12

A tailgating classic, teams are made up of two with a maximum of four to rotate around. The $25 cost as a team, however, is not added to the cost.

Spikeball

Season length: Sept. 21 - Oct. 5

My personal favorite game Spikeball is quickly becoming a classic game at tailgates and parties. Think volleyball, but with a net on the ground between four players on teams of two. The cost is only $10 a person.

5v5 Basketball

Season length: Sept. 27 - Oct. 20

Here’s your opportunity to feel like LeBron James in 5v5 basketball. The first 5v5 league, named ELITE, is meant for the best of the best in IM Basketball. If you’re looking for a more casual experience, 3v3 may be more your speed or wait for the more casual 5v5 in the Spring semester.

However, the Turkey Shootout on Nov. 13 is a winner take all tournament open to everyone. With a minimum of five players to play and upwards of 12 on a team, each squad will play at a minimum of two games before being eliminated.

3v3 Basketball

Season length: Oct. 17 - Nov. 3

Open and women’s 3v3 leagues will operate this fall with a team minimum of you guessed it, three, and a maximum of 12. Games are played on a halfcourt instead of full court.

9v9 Soccer

Season length: Sept. 25 - Oct. 20

Embrace your inner Christian Pulisic and play some soccer! Personally, I’ve never seen more competitive and intense matches in IM than I have seen in 9v9 soccer. I highly recommend it.

9v9 soccer has four leagues including men’s, women’s co-ed and a graduate and faculty league. If you have a lot of friends, good, you can have as many people rostered as you please with a minimum of nine players.

Dodgeball

Season length: Sept. 25 - Oct. 6 or 20

This one isn’t for the faint of heart.

Dodgeball has two leagues of co-ed and open and requires a minimum of six players and a maximum of 15.

Flag football

Season length: Sept. 25 - Oct. 20

In addition to a co-ed, men’s and graduate and faculty league, you can also arrange free scrimmages through IM if you have enough people.

Teams are made up by seven players and eight in co-ed (four males, four females).

Ultimate Frisbee

Season length: Sept. 25 - Oct. 20

Another one of my personal favorites combines frisbee with touch football. Requires seven players to play with an unlimited amount able to be rostered with a men’s and co-ed league.

Broomball

Season length: Oct. 2 - Oct. 16

Hockey, but with an orange ball. A minimum of six players are required for this sport which only lasts two weeks!

Regardless of what you do, IM Sports is an easy way to get active and meet friends right away.

“Find a group of friends that you'd like to play with and get involved as often as you possibly can,” Winter said. “I think a lot of the freshmen that come in, they get so overwhelmed that they don't really think that they can play. They're so worried about school and are worried about, ‘Who am I going to play with?’ They need to meet friends in the dorms, meet friends from across campus, from their classes, and just say, ‘Hey, what do you like to do?’”

Registration and more information can be found here.

This story is part of our 2022 Welcome Week print issue. Read the entire issue here.