To the Editor:
I’m extremely disappointed in the state of RPI’s intramural sports program.
I was recruited to play varsity soccer here, but decided to play recreational instead (IFC in the fall, and outdoor intramural soccer in the spring). Back in January, I found ten friends, half of whom play varsity basketball and the other half who are also athletes, who wanted to play outdoor soccer in the A League. But, the original day to turn in rosters was Presidents’ Day, so the intramural office postponed it to February 23rd.
When I arrived that day, there was a notice on the door that said registration was delayed again to the following day, February 24.
I returned to the office on Thursday morning, around 11. When I arrived, Jessica Wasko, the assistant director of intramural sports, coldly informed me that no more rosters were being accepted, because the 32 openings were filled, as well as the eight-team waiting list. I politely asked her how forty teams could fill up in two hours, and she informed me that, through some act of apparent divine intervention, 20 teams had managed to sign up the night before. Then, she slammed the door of the office in my face.
I came back to my room, and left a message for Karl Steffen, the director of intramural sports, around noon. He finally called me back that afternoon, at 3:30, and informed me that no teams had signed up the night before, that Ms. Wasko was mistaken, and that 40 teams had in fact registered in two hours. I asked him if there was anything else I could do in order to play, and he told me I would be put on the waiting list if I brought the roster before 4 pm. Given the time frame, that was impossible, so my roster now acts as my desk blotter.
How could Ms. Wasko be so wrong as to tell me 20 teams had registered the night before? She told me she was the coordinator of scheduling, so I highly doubt that she was mistaken. I believe I was lied to when I was told by Mr. Steffen that no teams signed up the evening of February 23.
Although the people running the intramural sports at RPI are apparently incompetent, the problem with the department lies deeper than that.
Since only 32 teams can play, that means that only 320-480 students can participate per season, less than ten percent of the undergraduate population. Why doesn’t the intramural department take an unlimited number of rosters, expand the number of leagues, and give everyone who wants to play sports that opportunity? Maybe that would be a little more work for Ms. Wasko and Mr. Steffen, but they should be reminded where the money in their salary comes from.
