This spring, more than 800 students signed up to play St. Thomas intramural sports, with the majority lacing up their basketball shoes.

Ninety-eight teams have already started competing this season. The league has 72 5-on-5 men’s teams and 26 4-on-4 co-ed teams. Dave Lepp, manager of athletic facilities, said basketball is popular because a lot of students have the opportunity to play it when they are young.

“I think a lot of students have access to this sport growing up and continue to play in college,” Lepp said.

Basketball isn’t the only intramural sport that has been drawing more competitors this past school year. Fall semester, the intramural football league had 52 teams, volleyball had 53 and soccer had 36.

Junior Zack Johnson, intramural commissioner, said playing intramurals gives students the competition factor they might not experience anymore.

“I think so many kids played basketball in high school and throughout their lives that intramurals gives those who can’t play on the St. Thomas team for whatever reason a chance to get out and play some basketball with their friends or meet new friends,” Johnson said.

The volume of teams playing intramural basketball are made up of a wide variety of players, including students who have never played in a competitive basketball league, former high school varsity starters, graduate students and even former basketball national champions.

Junior Garrett Maloney was a member of the 2011 national champion-winning men’s basketball team and played on the team for three seasons. Maloney said playing intramural basketball contributes to his off-season training.

“I’m just trying to stay in shape and keep running and doing cardio work,” Maloney said.

Although Maloney hasn’t played intense competition basketball for more than a year, the difference in skill level of the competitors in the intramural league is often a challenge. Lepp said this is one of the negatives of the intramural league.

“Not knowing the level of all the players, we sometimes have games that are very lopsided,” Lepp said. “This is not fun for players on either team.”

Although intramurals are meant to be just for fun, the men’s league can be very competitive. Because most of the men play in the more competitive 5-on-5 league, less men play in the 4-in-4 co-ed league, which helps women like freshman Laura Swartz enjoy the game without high intensity.

“It’s fun because if you’re not playing a college sport, you can come and play intramurals with your friends,” Swartz said. “It’s a great way to meet new people and have a fun time.”

Sophomore Luke Peikert said intramural basketball is a good time for everyone.

“Intramurals are important to the school because its a chance for people to get together and have a little competitive fun,” Peikert said.

Jesse Krull can be reached at krul7386@stthomas.edu.