LSU University Recreation has long provided intramural sports as a way for students to keep their competitive flames alight.
Starting this semester, the complex appeased those whose flames burn a little brighter.
UREC introduced Gold and Purple leagues to intramurals this fall to even the playing field, separating teams with a higher ability into Gold and recreational teams into Purple, according to Matt Boyer, assistant director for leagues & tournaments.
If a Gold league is offered for a sport, Purple teams are not eligible to represent LSU in extramural, non-University facilitated events.
“Gold is the most highly competitive, or top-tier, teams that we have. Purple is more of a public league,” Boyer said.
This distinction can be found in the participants manual on the UREC website, but because teams choose which league they want to compete in and are not assigned, some are still outmatched.
“We see some Purple teams that should be in Gold, some Gold that should be in Purple,” Boyer said.
Boyer said UREC administration will rectify this in the spring by establishing requirements for Gold playoff teams, such as restricting Gold squads below .500 from postseason play.
Boyer said intramural participation has increased to its highest levels in five years.
Flag football, the most popular sport, has 15 more teams than last year, bringing the total to 186. Eleven-a-side soccer, which was offered two years ago, saw an increase of 14 teams from 2009 for a total of 77.
UREC is also continuing its skills challenge series, which began last spring with basketball and softball, with football and soccer competitions. Teams of two will throw, receive and punt their way through pool play in the football competition for a spot in an eight-seed tournament bracket.
Teams can begin registering Oct. 17 for football. Details on the soccer competition are still being finalized. Registration begins Nov. 7.
Teams can also register for homecoming tournaments beginning Oct. 24. Sports include innertube water polo, ultimate frisbee and futsal.
 
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Contact Alex Cassara at [email protected]