Intramural sports help students in all aspects of life
Posted by Administrator on Mar 12 2008
Sports >>

Photo by Nicholas Hauder
UNK students Mitch Armour and Chez Rivas, both from Ogallala, Nick Trausch of Roseland (on defense) and Eli Hammond of Colorado Springs, Colo. take part in intramural five on five basketball in Cushing Coliseum.

By Scott Levy
Antelope Staff

Nate Osterloh's days of playing basketball were over when he graduated high school, or so he thought.

Thanks to intramural athletics, Nate's days of basketball aren't over just yet. At 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, senior Nate Osterloh loves to play intramural basketball here at UNK.

"One of the reasons I love intramural sports is because it is all about having fun, and just playing the game the way the game was made to be played."

"College students can blow off steam in many ways, but intramural sports are a great way to meet people and have fun all at the same time," Osterloh said.

Osterloh came to college with an open mind to find new friends and have fun along the way.

"When I first came to college I signed up for intramural basketball to meet new people. I met some of my best friends in intramural basketball," Osterloh said.

His friends say he is a shy person and he has really opened up all because of intramural basketball. He was always a laid back man with not a lot of friends. But that all changed when he came to when he started playing intramural sports.

"I have known Nate since high school, and he has really opened up since coming to college and playing intramural basketball," Chad Jones said.

Jones, a senior, is one of Osterloh's best friends from Fremont High School. He has seen Osterloh go through many changes and finally become more outgoing.

"He finally has confidence to go up to people and make friends with them," Jones said.

Basketball is not the only intramural sport that UNK offers. The sports rang from soccer, softball, racquetball, pitch tournaments, ice hockey golf and even inntertube water polo.

There are many more intramural sports that can be played on UNK campus depending on the season.

The local office is in the Health and Sports Center and anyone in the office can get you started in intramural sports.

"I have made many changes in my life, and the best thing that has happened to me is intramural sports. All the friends that I have made in intramural sports have been excellent people to hang out with and will be my friends for life," Osterloh said.