Intramural Sports Program establishes Hall of Fame

Activities are a big part of a college experience—from being a part of a student group or engaging in Greek life to taking part in student governance or nonprofit organizations, there’s something for everyone at USI. That includes sports.

Intramural sports can be an integral part of USI’s student experience. On campus, students can participate in team, dual and individual sports from various options during the Spring and Fall Semesters, including 10 league sports. Students can also sign up for activities such as hiking, fantasy football leagues, indoor skydiving, a Euchre tourney, disc golf and much more.

“In 2022, we had 1,560 games played and a total of 706 teams with 3,200 students participating in the Intramural Sports Program,” says Joe Gratz, Assistant Director of Intramural Sports.

Chase Mosser, Program Coordinator of Intramural and Club Sports, was one of those students during his time at the University. After hearing other students talk about the Intramural Sports Program with much enthusiasm, he decided to sign up as a free agent.

“It was how I started to create relationships and friendships,” he says. “After a semester, I decided to apply to be an official and worked my way up to become an Intramural Supervisor.”

For the rest of his time at USI, Mosser was involved with the program. “He lived and breathed intramural sports,” Gratz said of Mosser. “He played in intramural sports and won multiple awards when he worked for us as a student.”

“I love this program and this University,” Mosser adds. “This place has given me so much, and all I want to do is give students the same great experience I had. I want to give those students who maybe come here and don’t know here to fit in a place to go and create friendships. I want everyone to know that intramurals are for everyone. Whether you play or want to work, we have a place for you.”

Mosser, who joined USI in his current position in January 2022, wanted to find ways to expand the Intramural Sports Program, not just in improving it, but also finding ways to recognize students for their work on the field as athletes and officials. While brainstorming with his graduate assistant, Nathan Sevendish, the two landed on a big idea—a Hall of Fame for the Intramural Sports Program.

“One of the biggest reasons we came up with the Hall of Fame was we wanted students to be recognized for their greatness and have the recognition they deserve,” Mosser says. “Students are the reason we all do what we do here at USI. I want to give the students the best possible experience they can have.”

Mosser proposed the idea of the Intramural Hall of Fame earlier this year, and Gratz immediately agreed. They got to work and introduced the first round of inductees in Spring 2023. The bar for inclusion is high, with a threshold of five inductees each year. The Hall of Fame also includes student staff members who officiate, keep scores and supervise game nights. To be considered for the Hall of Fame as an athlete, a student must have 124 wins (an average of 30 wins a year over four years); 10 championship wins; or win a state championship in one sport four years consecutively. Students must also have a 3.8 sportsmanship average rating over their collegiate career. For intramural event staff, students are awarded points for working regular, playoff and championship games as well as supervising game nights. As they reach different tiers, they are awarded various prizes, and once the student worker reaches 800 points, they are awarded Hall of Fame status as a staff member.

“Inductees obviously get eternal glory, but they also have their photos displayed. The athletes are awarded Hall of Fame sweatshirts, and the staff members earn a Hall of Fame tumbler,” explains Gratz.

This first round of inductees are:

Student-athletes

• Dawson Caswell
• Abbie Dart
• Cole Gibson
• Login Lively
• Austin Wessel

Student Staff

• Ben Davis (Supervisor, Official)
• Clayton Sauer (Supervisor, Official)
• Brooklyn Wernert (Supervisor, Scorekeeper)

The hope is to keep the Hall of Fame going strong, not just encouraging current Intramural athletes to strive for the “eternal glory,” but appeal to other students considering joining the program. Though it centers around sports, Mosser says Intramural Sports are about more than just competing in games; they’re about connections, friendships and experiences.

“It is a family atmosphere and holds a special place in my heart. I want this program to be an escape for students who maybe had a rough day of classes or a rough day dealing with personal things,” he says. “Intramurals are an escape to just forget about problems for an hour.”

The response so far has been great. Teams and players have expressed to Mosser and Gratz how they are striving to do all they can to make it into the Hall of Fame. It gives them both hope the program will continue to do well in the future.

“The idea is still fresh and new and not well known yet,” says Mosser. “I look forward to seeing when it becomes a staple of the Intramural Sports Program.”

For more information about the Intramural Sports Program at USI, visit usi.edu/rfw/intramural-sports.