(Courtesy/Pixabay)

Academy students don’t just spend their lunch periods eating in the Dining Hall. They instead fill the gyms and courtyards to compete, cheer on their friends, and take part in student-led intramurals. Currently, many are competing in the World Cup intramural, bringing the excitement of the world’s biggest soccer tournament to Academy’s own campus. From basketball and soccer to chess and Clash Royale, these competitions give students a chance to step away from the school day and play just for the fun of it.

Behind many of these games are seniors Billy G. and Kendall O., who revived the program since their Junior year after a long period of inconsistency.

For Billy, its appeal is simple: they give students a chance to compete without the pressure that comes with a traditional school team. “It’s just a time for Academy students to have fun [and] compete in a fun and safe way,” Billy said. “There’s no pressure.”

That attitude has allowed intramurals to grow beyond just the usual sports. Billy has helped lead basketball, soccer, Clash Royale, chess and volleyball, while Kendall was behind last year’s popular football intramural. This year, the pair are planning even more events, including ideas such as Frisbee.

Choosing which intramurals to hold often comes down to what students want. Billy said that “public opinion” plays a major role in deciding the events. Basketball and soccer remain the most popular choices so far.

But coming up with the games is only the beginning. Before students ever step onto the court or field, Billy and Kendall have to figure out dates, create sign-up forms, organize teams, and establish rules. They also have to communicate everything to the student body.

And sometimes, the hardest part starts once the intramural has already begun: “There’s so many things going on at the school,” Billy said. With students having different schedules and conflicts, organizing game times can become a puzzle of its own. Someone might be unavailable one day, while another student can’t make the next.

Despite the planning and scheduling headaches, Billy said seeing students participate makes the work worth it. What might look like an ordinary lunchtime game to someone walking by can become exciting for the people playing.

“People make it feel like it’s the World Cup, you know? The NBA Finals,” Billy said. That competitive energy is part of what makes intramurals memorable. Students are willing to give up part of their lunch to play, compete, and spend time with their friends. For Billy, the fact that students choose to spend their limited free time participating is one of the most rewarding parts of running the events.

As the school year continues, Billy and Kendall hope students will take advantage of the growing variety of intramurals. Whether someone is a freshman playing in their first event or a senior competing in their last, Billy believes the experiences can stick with students long after the final game.

“People remember these intramurals,” Billy said. “They’re just a lot of fun. You should sign up.”