CHAPTER I

PHILOSOPHY AND PURPOSES

It may be wéll to inquire first what is meant by the term, intramurals.
We are using it as an abbreviation of the two words, Intramural sports. The.
many other fine activities sometimes included in the school point program,
such as music and debate, are not included in this book.

Intramurals are our oldest type of school physical education. One is.
likely to think of intramurals as something new in the program; as a matter
of fact, these contests within school communities were their first forms of
competitive sport and preceded both the required program of physical education
and the interscholastic and intercollegiate (varsity) teams of today. So, in
seeking expansion in this field, as so many schools are now doing, they are
only returning Uo their first love.

At the present time intramurals are growing rapidly throughout the country.
They are without question the field of most rapid development in school physical
education. Here is a field in which active sports practice is open to all who
are interested. With adequate direction common, it is to be hoped that everyone
who wishes it may find opportunity for engaging in interesting competition at
his own level.

What reasons lie behind this growth? The history.of intramurals antedates
that of varsity competition. In these early days, of course, intramural programs
were unorganized and at first entirely under student control. With the growth
of varsity sports this field has been a little neglected by students and faculty
alike. The interest which was focused on physical education and development, as
a result of the information revealed by the medical examinations of the selective
draft during the World War, resulted in a wave of enthusiasm throughout the
country for a developmental activity program. The need for ablé bodied men for
both military and civil life stood out clearly. It was evident a broader base for
this program than that offered by the limited competition of varsity Sports was
required. Tnis demand has done much to boost the development of the intramural
programs. Present unsettled world conditions wiil work in the same direction.
The growing realization among physical educators of the need for wider service to
all has also done much to speed the growth of intramural athletics.

The age range at which intramural programs are suitable is wide. It starts
with a period when boys and girls find competitive group games holding a steady
and compelling interest for them. This is usually about the fifth or possibly
sixth grade in school, and sports continue to hold the interest of the students
from here on through high school and through college.

. The relation of intramurals to the rest of the physical education program
anc the place of intramural athletics in this program are of interest. A big and
growing part is being played by these activities. There are many reasons why this
is true. Let us inquire into the philosophy behind intramurals. They are prima-
rily recreational and primarily must be fun. America and Americans have thrived
on competition, and friendly competition is the back-bone of the whole intramural
program. After the student develops a taste for sport, there is every likelihood
that he will develop a "carry over" interest in sports beyond school years.
Participation in sports--an important part of living and getting fun out of it--
is dependent upon one's philosophy and way of life. With the present emphasis on
"worthy" use of leisure time, it is important to credit physical activities with
recognized recreational values. Such values these sports certainly have.

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