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Intramural sports are a time when those of us who never get a chance to compete have an opportunity to let out some of that competitive energy that builds up after hours of studying. Unfortunately it can be humbling to realize that the lack of exercise has overwhelmingly taken control of your mobility. But that is alright because usually your opponents are just as out of shape as you are, so you don’t feel that bad about being completely out of breath after a few minutes of game play.

There is nothing like bonding through the agony of defeat and the sweetness of victory with the guys you live with. For how little you actually receive for winning an intramural title, the bragging rights seem to be worth more than gold. A championship t-shirt (rewarded to each member of the floor) is essentially meaningless but is worn with great pride.

I have yet to win a championship but am hungry to some day be able to put on that shirt with the words Ormston 1 (which is the name of my floor) across the front. We play many different sports throughout the year but some of the best ones are flag football, floor hockey, soccer, basketball and volleyball. Soccer is great because the Soccer program and the University is kind enough to let us play on the new turf game field under the lights. Yeah its Official!

Along with Intramurals, I am apart of a club basketball team, which is basically another opportunity on campus for those who enjoy competing to get some “energy” out. That happens twice a week on and off through the year in the Fieldhouse and the commitment as well as talent level varies from team to team. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly talents fade in life, whether it is athletic conditioning or Calculus concepts or learning a foreign language. It does not matter what it is, if you do not use it on a regular basis then it disappears faster than a startled buck during hunting season. I put so much time into my basketball game in high school, hours upon hours working on my shooting form. But now, I can still go out and play pick up ball and feel as though I have never touched a basketball before!

Everything Will Soon Fade Away

Yeah, I guess that could mean I am just not that good but it also teaches the valuable lesson that everything in life will soon fade away. Matthew 6:20 says to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal. Knowing this truth, I am constantly challenged to spend my time doing things that are worthwhile in life. God is not saying to never play intramural sports, work out or spend time learning a foreign language but at the same time we need spend consistent time in things that matter for eternity, which means spending time in our relationship with HIM!

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Students congregated at the Fireside in order to support our women's soccer team as they played in Alabama

Around 4:00 p.m., the snow finally began falling from the sky. The bitter cold, fierce wind, and slick sidewalks reminded students that it was better to be inside (a classroom, library, dorm or the student center) than it was to be outside. Meanwhile, across the country in Alabama, our women’s soccer team was preparing to play against Concordia in the first round of the NAIA National Tournament.

At 7:30 p.m., Spring Arbor University students began gathering in the Cougar Den by the Fireside to watch the game live. There was an amazing turn out! Students grabbed dinner, brought homework, gathered with friends, and congregated to watch our lady Cougars play. Even though we couldn’t fly out to Alabama for the night, we were there in spirit! We cheered for our women soccer players as if we were actually in the stands.

I think that it’s so cool that students from Spring Arbor University would gather together to watch (through live streaming) our girls play in the NAIA National tournament. That kind of support speaks volumes about our encouragement for our athletes. Let’s go SAU!

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I love sports games! Especially soccer now that we can have night games! The new field that SAU just built this past year has some awesome lighting which means that the games at night look great in photos!

Girls Soccer team tearin' it up!

Tonight was another great game for SAU as they took on Taylor! The girls soccer team did great! It was a blast to walk around the sidelines, snapping photos for the school and cheering on the Cougars! The girls team is doing a great job at keeping up their street cred since they had such an awesome season last year! The girls are running hard showing that they have been working hard to make sure they don’t disappoint the loyal Spring Arbor fans!

Be sure to visit www.saucougars.com to see the report on the girls game and see the schedule so that you can plan on being at the next Cougars game and see the new field! Trust me, it is an absolute blast to be out at night watching the Cougars and cheering them on! And if you get cold, you can always buy some hot cider!

God bless!

- Mark

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One of the men from our tennis team going for the win!

One of my favorite things about Homecoming weekend is the sports games. It’s one weekend where you can watch all of the SAU Cougar games and they’re all within walking distance. I started off the day with the guys’ tennis team. They were playing in the conference finals and I am pleased to report to you all that they won! An amazing season with a record of 11-0!

I then made my was over to the newly dedicated soccer field to watch our guys soccer team play. I love

So glad I stayed to see this! Very proud of the guys soccer team!

going to the soccer games in particular because the cheering section is a blast to see! The students organize a drum-line, dress up in crazy costumes and it’s just a blast. The guys ended up not getting the win but the coolest part of the game was at the end, so I’m glad I stuck around. I was able to see both teams praying together in the middle of the field and it just hit me: this is why I LOVE Spring Arbor University! I’ve never seen that done before at a game and I hope to see it more!

Be sure to come out and support the Cougars whenever you can!

God bless!

- Mark

For more photos of the games this weekend, visit here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adkinsphotography/sets/72157627725049955/

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Students participating in intramural soccer under the lights

Walking a quarter of a mile to play soccer is not always the most exciting activity to take part in; take, for example, Gallagher Field. When Gallagher field was borrowed for intramurals, students had to leave 10 minutes early in order to play a 45 minute game of soccer. Sometimes, there would be forfeits and the team that showed up would only end up turning back around with the realization that their scheduled game got cancelled.

But, with the installation of a new turf soccer field under the bright lights, students no longer have to travel to Gallagher Field. Now, a brand new on-campus field (constructed in Summer 2011) can be used for students’ enjoyment. Instead of the question, “what’s the point in walking 1/4 of a mile to play soccer?” students can now ask, “why would I skip out on playing under the lights?”

Since the men’s and women’s SAU soccer team does not practice between 8pm and 10pm, the field is free for intramural play. Located directly behind Ogle Villages, students can take, at most, a five minute walk to the field rather than a 10 to 15 minute walk. The turf feels good, removing from the situation; and there is a nice set of stands waiting for spectators to sit in.

On top of the nice turf and the stands that follow, bright lights legitimatize the feeling of playing on a collegiate field. When the game is over, it feels good to know you are still right on campus, rather than a quarter of a mile away. Overall, the new field is a wonderful establishment for intramural sports, and an even better improvement for Spring Arbor University as a whole.

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So this summer, I’m traveling with Melissa, right? This past camp we were at was Covenant Hills in Otisville, MI. We weren’t sure what we were going to do for the weekend, until I realized that my grandma lives in Clio–only 45 minutes from Otisville! Here was the schedule of this past weekend:

1. Leave CHC and have lunch with our boss (who also lives in Clio)! 2. Do some shopping and use the internet in Flint, which is right next to Clio and just happens to be my hometown. 3. Spend the night at my grandma’s. 4. Get ice cream with one of my best friends from home. 5. Go to an open house of a girl who graduated from my high school, and will be going to SAU in the fall. 6. Head to our next camp!

We had our college life/summer ambassador job, we had time spent with my family, and we had time driving around my hometown. I couldn’t tell if it felt like we were working or just hanging out at home. Either way, it was a great, relaxing weekend! Like I mentioned, we went to Megan’s open house. Megan will be attending SAU, so it was awesome to show up in our admissions car and matching SAU T-shirts. Megan will be playing soccer for Spring Arbor, and I’m super excited to have her there in the fall!

This upcoming week, we will be at Camp Chenaniah in Honor, MI. I’m blogging from McDonald’s–one of the only fast food restaurants in Honor. We’re right by Lake Michigan, though, so Melissa and I will be able to see the sunset on the lake tonight. It was absolutely beautiful! Tomorrow starts a brand new week for us, and we’re looking forward to whatever God is going to bring our way at the new camp. Thanks for reading!

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