We’ve seen the effect that the pandemic has had in the realm of intramurals at Bradley University, but the students who play them aren’t the only ones who have been affected.
The intramural staff has had their own challenges, including a lack of staff, lack of training, new rules, and unruly behaviors.
“The uncertainty of the times and changing things last minute has been a challenge” said Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Scott Wood. “Getting an officiating staff, which I didn’t really have during the fall semester, was a challenge as well.”
During the spring semester, Scott really worked on adding to the depleted staff, but getting them properly trained was a new challenge.
“I have not done official training like I have in the past, and that’s because of timing” said Wood.
That’s where the supervisors come in.
Missy Adrian, a senior health science major, and intramural supervisor, has been at the forefront of this challenge. As an intramural supervisor, Missy has a handful of jobs including setting up, taking down, and keeping watch over the intramurals. This year, more often than not, she has helped out the newer officials get acclimated.
“A lot of the time when the [newer officials] don’t know what’s going on, I’ll take them over to the side and explain to them what went wrong and what they were supposed to do” said Adrian.
Of course, this has been seemingly the easier part of Adrian’s position. With new rules due to the health and safety measures made popular due to the pandemic, enforcing policies has been a new difficulty. Adrian noted that policies such as wearing a mask has received a small share of backtalk, but has overall been respected.
“It’s harder to get people to wear masks because these are intense sports” said Adrian. “A lot of the time we just ask people to try and keep it up over the majority of their mouth and nose because it’s hard and people do get out of breath. Generally, people have been following it pretty well.”
The supervisors have also dealt with some uncharacteristic behaviors from students during the year as well. In an email sent in late March, Wood ruled out fans at all intramural events for the remainder of the semester. The email detailed how “multiple incidents [from] the past two nights of fans heckling players and not just watching and cheering for their team” caused him to take drastic measures.
Missy was present for some of the outbursts and had to act herself. Supervisors like her usually step in and try to deescalate the problem, and may also escort non-complying members out.
“People like to ‘chirp’ with other players and teams” said Adrian. “So, if someone misses an open net or a good catch, people will talk, but it crosses a line when people attack people personally. It can cross the line of sports into just not being appropriate in any sporting event.”
Despite the challenges this semester, Adrian has enjoyed her position. Not only does she speak highly of Wood, but she credits the fact that at the end of the day, she’s still a student, and her job allows her to be one.
As for Wood, he also compliments the ability of his supervisors to adjust and do their job at a high level. You can tell that much like an intramural team; this staff is a well-rounded group who always finds a way to play their part to the best of their ability.