It’s hard to qualify to play varsity athletics, but there are other options for sports fans at Winona State University.

Students who love athletics but aren’t superstars can still keep in shape and have fun by joining the university’s Intramural teams.

Sports include: flag football, basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball and hockey.

The university is also creating a new swim team.

Students may join a men’s, women’s or co-ed team, and no tryouts are conducted.

Mark Bambenek, Intramurals director, said the biggest requirement is to just be a Winona State student.

He said there are no experience requirements or limits to how many people may be on a team.

Students may also take part in several different sports, Bambenek said.

He said the difference between Intramurals and varsity athletics is that varsity players are recruited and often receive scholarships, whereas all students may participate in Intramurals.

Faculty and staff members are even allowed to play, he said.

Bambenek said varsity teams also practice regularly and concentrate on winning and drawing fans.

Intramurals are “meant for fun,” he said.

Bambenek said almost

3,000 students take part in Intramurals every year, some playing every sport.

He said other students only do one activity per semester.

Intramurals don’t have scheduled practices but some teams do meet on their own to train, Bambenek said.

Students may also form their own teams with groups of friends, he said.

He said it’s common for students in dorms to form their own teams, for example.

Bambenek said sports are offered seasonally, and sign-ups will begin after Spring Break.

The most popular Spring sport is softball, but limited positions are available because the teams must use public fields, he said.

Winona State doesn’t have facilities readily available for it, Bambenek said.

He said another popular sport is basketball, which has the highest turnout of players and spectators.

For students who don’t enjoy team sports, there are also fitness classes and facilities available on and off campus.

Bambenek said the university’s pool is open 37 hours a week, and is staffed by a lifeguard.

Any student is welcome to come and swim, he said.

He said the gym is also open for anyone to use.

The university also runs

20 fitness classes a week, all free to students.

Classes include step aerobics, pilates, kick boxing and hip hop aerobics, Bambenek said.

He said four classes are also held in the Maria dorm for students who live off campus.

Bambenek said the only problem with the popularity of Intramurals is the demand for space.

Facility use is high and athletic resources haven’t been expanded, even though more students are attending Winona State, he said.

“There’s been talk of a new fitness center, and we’re all for it,” Bambenek said.

He said a new center solely for students would give Intramural players the space they need to enjoy their activities.

The Student Senate also has provided funding and support, he said.

“(They) have treated us great,” he said.

Bambenek said Intramurals give students many health and social advantages.

He said many students at Winona State played high school sports, and Intramurals are a good way for them to keep active.

Students also like playing with one another and “letting some of their competitive instincts out,” he said.

Bambenek said students also participate to stay healthy.

The most appealing aspect is having fun, he said.

Bambenek said students often don’t realize that they can enjoy themselves while playing on Intramural teams.

“These are things you can do everyday for free,” he said.

Chad Bischoff, a history student, said he has played flag football and basketball, and will play softball because he loves the competition and exercise.

He said he also wanted to play because he is a “sports nut.”

This is his first year at Winona State, and he said he intends to play all three sports next year.

Adam Lewis, a biology student who plays on a basketball team, said he likes Intramurals because they are great for students who don’t have a lot of time to devote to athletics.

He said his favorite thing about participating is that everyone “gets an equal chance to play.”

Bambenek said students might consider trying Intramurals because they are ways to have fun at the university.

“We’re part of the student life experience,” he said.

Bischoff said students should play Intramural sports to learn from others and become physically fit.