By Blake Penfield, Sports Writer

ACU’s intramural program is beginning again this fall with some familiar sports but a few changes.

Flag football, softball, which is usually a spring sport, and a waterball tournament, which used to be a complete season, will all be offered by the intramural department this fall.

Flag football is fast approaching and will be the first intramural sport of the season. Thursday is the deadline for team sign-ups, and the cost is $275 per team. Each team should consist of seven players, and teams will not be allowed to play with fewer than five players on the field. In addition to club and dorm teams, other non-group affiliated teams are encouraged to sign up. The first flag football sign-ups. The first flag football games will commence Monday.

Anticipation for the season is already building among social club members.

“I am looking forward to being able to get on the field with fellow club members in the healthy tradition of rivalry against other men’s clubs,” said Matt Gauntt, junior youth and family ministry major from Colleyville and member of Frater Sodalis.

The softball team sign-up deadline is not until Nov. 1, and the cost will be $150 per team. The first softball games will commence Nov. 5. Typically, the softball intramural season is held in the spring, but this will be the first year to break that tradition.

“Just trying something new,” said Susan Hardcastle, intramural sports administrative coordinator.

The waterball tournament sign-up deadline is Nov. 29; the cost is $100 per team, and the tournament will be held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Everyone in the ACU community, full-time students, graduate students, alumni and faculty, are permitted to join in on the competitions.

There will be a recreational league for each of the sports, as well as a competitive league. These are designed to allow each participant to tailor their intramural experience to their own skills, abilities and idea of fun.

Hardcastle sees intramurals as an important component to the total college experience.

“With intramurals, you can have fun, fellowship and meet new people,” said Hardcastle. “You can experience it in a fun or athletic way. That’s why we have the rec. league. It’s fun for everybody.”