Spirit of Sport

Matt Stone

During the Feb. 18 Spirit of Sport, freshman Josh Keith goes up for a slam dunk in the Wildermuth Intramural Center. Keith was participating in the Slam Dunk Competition, one of the more than 70 events offered at the all-day event.

Warming up at the Student Recreational Sports Center before competition in the SOS Jujitsu matches, seniors Stan Gerbig and Mike Shimer practice a grappling maneuver. Gerbig was president of the IU Jujitsu Club.

Photo by Seshu Badrinath.

he student body, staff and faculty swam, fenced, dribbled, shot and spiked their way through more than 70 different programs at the Feb. 3 Spirit of Sport. From the pool to the court and from the dance floor to the weight room, event attendants found individual and team activities which tested their physical stamina and provided enjoyment. An all-day event organized by the Division of Recreational Sports and benefitting Indiana Special Olympics, the Spirit of Sport returned after a two-year hiatus with the completion of the new Student Recreational Sports Center. Marketing Director junior Amy Douglas said the Division of Recreational Sports was just "too busy" during the SRSC construction to organize the SOS. "Now that the SRSC is done, the SOS is back. We've even been able to pack double

6piritcd 6ucccSRSC completion revives SOS festival

by Courtney Greene

the events into half the time it used to take, now that we have the two facilities," Douglas said. "It's really exciting to have such a great turnout and so much positive feedback." Programs were planned from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. at both the Wildermuth Intramural Center and the SRSC. Despite polar weather conditions, the event seemed to generate a lot of warmth from participants and spectators alike. "It's great," said freshman Kelly Akin, as she came off the volleyball court with her teammates from Pi Beta Phi after winning their first game. "It's fun to see all the teams playing, and it feels good to play for the Special Olympics to help out a good cause." The IU Crew Team, one of the many club sports organizations with information booths set up around the Wildermuth Intramural Center, also lent a hand with fund raising efforts. They organized the "Beat-A-Rower" contest during which spectators won crew t-shirts if they out-rowed a rower in an ongoing "Erg-O-Thon," which involved constant rowing throughout the day by members of the team. Freshman John Zady, a team member, said he hoped the team's presence at the event, in addition to benefitting the Special Olympics, might generate some interest in its activity. "We hope a lot of people come out and give it a chance, and support club sports and sports in general," said Zady. Enthusiastic spectators also contributed to the festive and lively atmosphere created by the active participants of SOS. Some were there to watch, while others shooting around one basket were there just to have fun. Others waited for their chance to participate while some cheered friends in competition. Freshman Fanshon Douglas was part of the cheering section for the Iota Phi Theta fraternity basketball team. "I'm just here to give them my support," she said. LI