It’s a common theme. When athletes retire from their respective sports, especially in high school, they immediately become nostalgic about what could’ve been in regards to their career. Just listen to Plymouth State students recount their memories of high school athletic glory and you can almost hear the echo of Marlon Brando’s tortured voice in On the Waterfront(“I coulda been a contenda!”). There is an undying and universal sense of loss among the athletes that chose not to (or could not) compete in college athletics. Thanks to the Plymouth State University Recreation Programs, these longing athletes now have an outlet for their competitive fire.
“Mostly everyone is in it for the fun. You don’t have to be a good player to be on a team, so that means everyone can play and be a part of a team sport,” said Plymouth State Football player Bobby Lombardo, who has been competing in the Intramural Basketball games taking place in the Hub Courtroom this past month. Lombardo expresses exactly why the recreation leagues are important. They get back to the root of athletics, and remind people why they fell in love with sports in the first place: because it’s fun.
“There needs to be a competitive edge to everything. When you make a semi-competitive league like intermural, it gives people a chance (to compete), but still keeps that edge,” said Lombardo. It’s the surprisingly high level of competition of the league, that edge, which makes it even more addictive for Lombardo. While the Intramural League may be fun, there is no Little League, “everyone gets a trophy” atmosphere. The competition is fierce, the games are played hard, and success is earned, not given.
A teammate of Lombardo’s on The Temptations in the Intramural Basketball League, senior Dylan Drake, shares similar sentiments. “It’s an opportunity for us to play. It’s a chance to get back on the court in a pretty damn competitive setting.” Drake ran track in high school, and has been playing basketball recreationally since he was old enough to dribble a ball. Both Drake and Lombardo compete in the Advanced and Intermediate Basketball leagues. “I look forward to this time every year. Everyone gets a shot if they want to. I know a lot of kids who feel the same way I do. We all miss that rush of competition and this league brings it right back to us.”
The restraints that often come with athletics are relinquished. There are no practices, no tryouts, only a group of like-minded individuals who just want to play the game. Any PSU student who wants to play can form their own team and play. There are few things more American than an equal opportunity to compete. The Recreation Leagues presented by Plymouth State University are as American as Tom Brady’s smile and Apple pie.