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(09/22/11 1:50am)
Students are settled into their homes, books are rolling in, tests have begun, the grass and courts are ready and Intramural sports are in full swing.
As soccer’s regular season comes to a close, the new format of 3-on-3 basketball is just heating up. Returning due to high request, the 3-on-3 basketball league has gone from its recent setup of a one-weekend double-elimination playoff to a season that stretches for three weeks and ending in a double elimination playoff (all occurring on Sundays of each week).
As of Friday, Sept. 16:
In the Co-Rec division, APO&FRIENDS, Dynamitochondria, and Wesley are the only teams of the 17-team league that remain unbeaten at 3-0. Elias Hall from Haygood’s Heroes leads all scorers with an astounding nine goals.
In the Men’s Competitive division, The Kingdom leads all eight teams with a 3-0-1 record. Michael Lopez has stood out of the crowd with an impressive seven goals in four games.
In the other men’s division (Men’s Recreational), Los Lobos and Dynamitochondria are tied atop the 10-team league with 3-0 records. Steve Hotz from The White Coats leads the league with seven goals.
Finally, in the Women’s division, The Right Knee Cripples lead the league with a 3-0 mark. ADPi member Kendall Cowart is ahead of all scorers in the five-team division with five goals scored.
To add to the already exciting hype of Intramurals, this year, playoffs will be done a little differently. “We’re excited about a new feature that will allow teams to select their position on the playoff bracket so that they can select the times that they play and who they play,” said Assistant Director of Intramurals Todd Thomas. Now, teams will be ranked in order based on record and then they will get the opportunity to select their spot on the bracket in order of seeding. “It’s just another step we’re taking to provide participants more control over their playing experience,” added Thomas.
As far as 3-on-3 basketball is concerned, games continue to be played on Sundays, as the playoffs will be coming up shortly. With 18 total teams participating and just five squads leaving week one unbeaten, it is anyone’s tournament to win or lose.
(09/22/11 1:16am)
As the playoffs near for Major League Baseball and more or less all of the division leaders are set in stone, with about 10 games left in the season, I give you a run through the surprising and not-so-surprising happenings of the 2011 baseball season.
What met our expectations:
Yankees-Red Sox rivalry kept us on edge and scratching our heads: After starting the season 0-6, the Red Sox met with the red-hot Yankees as they fittingly took two of three games from the Bronx Bombers. The Red sox went on to sweep the next two series from the Yanks as they were 8-1 against them in their first nine meetings. With just three games left between the two, the Red Sox have won 11 of 15 games and four of five series. With that being said, the Yanks lead the division and are moments away from clinching the division.
Milwaukee’s offseason pitching acquisitions would have them lined up for the playoffs: With the offseason injuries to nearly the entire Cardinals pitching rotation and the pitching additions of Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, the Brewers were the frontrunners for the NL Central. With that being said, the bats eventually came to life after a shaky start and the pitching has held their own as the Brewers find themselves leading the Central by 6.5 games.
The Phillies would have the best record in the league: After once again picking up Cliff Lee in an offseason stunner, there was no doubt as to who the best team in the league would be. With nearly a guaranteed spot deep in the playoffs due to their “Big Four”, the Phillies have shown up and played the way they were expected. They are on their way to another 100-plus win season (98-52).
Marlin’s outfield prodigy Mike Stanton would crank 30-plus homers: At just the age of 21, Stanton has proven that sooner or later he is going to be in the running for the MVP in years to come. With 22 homers in just 100 games in 2010, Stanton has hammered over 30 this season, while bumping his average close to .270. In an offense desperately needing a power hitter and not having many guys to get on base, Stanton still manages to have nearly 90 RBIs on the season as well. In just a few years, Stanton’s strikeouts will go down, his average will go up (near .280 or.290) and he will surpass 40 home runs and 100 RBIs. The MVP for the California native will be his at the age of just 23 or 24.
Adrian Gonzalez would have monster numbers with Red Sox (.336 avg, 26 HR, 111 RBIs): Although his home run total slowed down near the end of the season, Adrian Gonzalez was a monstrous impact for the Red Sox offense and got on base at will. His RBI total was over 110 and he is finally getting the national recognition that he never received when he was with the San Diego Padres.
What we didn’t expect:
Orioles, Nationals and Pirates showed fight: Although none one of them are going to see the playoffs this season, these three clubs are used to being laughed at and humiliated as the division dwellers of the past. “Of the past” is the main phrase. They are now improving under new management and seem to have found the solution to more victories. The Orioles and Pirates will escape with fewer than 100 losses as the Nationals hovered near .500 for most of the season. In fact, for early parts of the season, the Pirates and Orioles found themselves in first place of their divisions.
No hitter, no hitter, no hitter: Every team of the early season was getting no hit or close to it. Francisco Liriano and Ervin Santana, who are normally extremely wild and having high pitch counts, threw no-hitters. Not-to-mention, Justin Verlander had no hitters into the eighth or ninth inning of nearly every outing. When are hitters going to learn to bunt the ball down the line and run out a few here and there like the Angels instinctively did versus Verlander?
Rangers showing last year wasn’t a fluke: The Rangers came out and proved to the world that them making it to the World Series a year ago is something everyone should keep an eye on. They are looking to repeat this season. With a rotation that stayed strong even after the departure of Cliff Lee and a lineup that kept hitting after the controversy of Michael Young’s offseason, they don’t care what’s going on. They are going to win no matter what.
Arizona would outduel the defending champs in the West to make the playoffs: In what might be the biggest surprise of the season, the Arizona Diamondbacks under new manager Kirk Gibson have shocked the defending champion Giants and the rest of the world to make the playoffs. After seasons of being the dwellers of the West, the D-backs have put all the pieces together to be successful. With lots of young talent, it is doubtful they will go far, but they have been overlooked in the past before.
Dan Uggla having a hitting streak over 30 games: After coming over to the Braves in a trade from the Marlins, Dan Uggla kept his batting average low and his home runs high. What no one expected was for Dan Uggla (hitting under .200 at the time) to break off a 30-plus-game hitting streak in mid-season. With infield hits here and bang bang plays there, Uggla’s streak wasn’t the most impressive in recent years, but all the same unlikely.
Jose Bautista to follow up his 2010 year of 50-plus homers with another 40-plus: After such an out-of-nowhere season in 2010, Jose Bautista proved he could deliver an encore performance as he led the MLB in on-base percentage and slugging. He hit over .300 and had more than 40 home runs for the second consecutive year. With all the swirls that this is so shocking and “out of left field” as some would say, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear rumors of steroids in years to come if Bautista’s performance continues.
Ryan Vogelsong to lead nearly every pitching category for the Giants: with such a powerful pitching staff in San Francisco, it is truly a shock to see a no-namer like Ryan Vogelsong leading the pack on their staff. The 6-foot-4 righty started the season off with a bang and slowly cooled off. With that said, he stands at 11-7 with a miniscule 2.68 ERA at the end of the season. That includes 26 games started.
My World Series prediction:
Detroit Tigers beating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games.
Although the Phillies have the best pitching on the planet and one of the best lineups one through nine, the Tigers have ace Justin Verlander that cannot be stopped. Also, they have a lineup that can eat up some of the Phillies pitchers if given the opportunity. If they can survive some tough matches in the AL playoffs, the Tigers are my choice to upset the powerhouse Phillies.
(09/22/11 1:10am)
After head coach of five seasons, Mike Raynor, stepped down due to personal reasons over the summer, the Mercer softball team has appointed former associate head coach from LSU, James DeFeo, as the sixth head coach in the program’s history.
“We had some outstanding applicants for our position, which says a lot about the potential that is ahead for our softball. I believe James has what it takes to help Mercer’s program reach that next level and beyond,” said Athletic Director Jim Cole.
DeFeo will likely be standing in a comfortable situation as Mercer softball seems to be on the rise. Experiencing recent success, the Bears have won 56 percent (129-100) of their games since 2008. This includes qualifying for the Atlantic Sun conference tournament in three of the past four years.
“I view this as a great opportunity both professionally and for my family,” said DeFeo. “Mercer University is an excellent academic institution and Jim’s [Cole] vision as an Athletic Director will make athletics just as good as the academics at the institution,” he added.
Brother of current Ball State assistant coach Stephanie DeFeo, James DeFeo is a native of New Jersey and has garnered a plethora of softball experience under his belt in his long career.
In 1996, DeFeo earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management at Rutgers University before completing his master’s in sports administration from Southern Mississippi in 1999.
In his final year of his masters, DeFeo kicked off his career as a graduate assistant for the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles.
In 2000, DeFeo was on staff with Girouard at Louisiana-Lafayette for just one season before moving his way up to LSU. In his brief stay with Louisiana-Lafayette, DeFeo helped lead their team to a Sun Belt title, a number 16 ranking in the nation and a NCAA regional berth.
In 2001, DeFeo made his way over to LSU as an assistant coach. In his first year in the program, the Tigers went 59-11, ranked number three in the country, won the SEC title and placed third in the Women’s College World Series (WCWS). DeFeo spent his first four seasons as an assistant coach before becoming the associate head coach of the program in 2005.
Spending 11 total seasons with LSU, DeFeo and the Tigers mustered a record of 526-171-1. That is over a .750 winning percentage. Over that span, the Tigers also ranked in the top 20 in the nation 10 times, qualified for the NCAA tournament 10 times and made two trips to the WCWS.
While a part of the staff, LSU was honored as the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) South Region “Coaching Staff of the Year” in both 2001 and 2004. The Tigers also earned three SEC championships (2001, 2002 and 2004) during DeFeo’s span with the team.
In his career, DeFeo has been a part of more than 600 victories, five conference championships, 12 trips to the NCAA tournament and four WCWS berths.
One of the more impressive statistics in DeFeo’s book of achievements might be the fact that none of the college programs where he has been on staff have ever suffered a losing season.
In his final two seasons as associate head coach at LSU, DeFeo led the Tigers to an 85-34 combined record ranking 19th and 20th in the nation.
“I am truly excited to have a coach with James’ credentials become a part of the Mercer staff,” said Jim Cole. “He is a proven winner and has been a part of some outstanding softball programs. His experience coaching in the SEC will also be a valuable tool,” he added.
DeFeo also has more than 13 years’ experience working in the All-America Softball Clinics. He has coaching experience at virtually every level of fastpitch softball, including Under-12, Under-16, 18-and-under, and Women’s Major.
With all of his experience, 2011 will be Coach DeFeo’s first stint as a softball collegiate head coach. “I am going to draw on all of my experiences and utilize them to the fullest for Mercer’s program,” said DeFeo.
The softball team kicked off their fall schedule on Sept. 17 and will continue through Oct. 8. DeFeo will make his official coaching debut with the Bears in February.
(09/08/11 1:40am)
Mercer’s participation in recreational sports places them 13th in the nation, according to Princeton Review.
Recreational sports at most schools tend to attract a large amount of the student body and Mercer University has proven to go above and beyond that statement. In a recent survey and study done by The Princeton Review, Mercer Intramurals placed 13th in the nation in the category titled “Everybody Plays Intramural Sports”.
“Students have told me that ‘intramurals IS Mercer’. It is such a huge part of what we do around here,” said Assistant Director of Intramural Sports, Todd Thomas. “We also receive a great deal of involvement from outside programs such as the graduate programs of the law school and med school,” he added.
As an ongoing tradition that has become a staple at the university, Mercer students have made it a routine to sign up for nearly every sport and take full advantage of the opportunities to get involved, meet new people and have fun. “There isn’t a whole lot to do on a Tuesday night in Macon, Ga,” said Thomas.
Mercerians seems to agree with Thomas’ assumption, as members of the faculty, graduate programs, Greek Life and all others alike come out to play and show their support for their fellow peers. “Whether you are on the field playing or standing on the sideline cheering on your favorite team, the spectators and fans make up intramurals just as much as the players. Intramurals at Mercer are a social event and activity rather than just a sport. I’ve never seen that at any other institution,” added Thomas.
In the survey taken by The Princeton Review, any school that agreed to be a part of the research and that regularly participates in Intramural activities was tallied and considered. Mercer was only one of three schools in the top 20 that was a private institution. The majority of the schools were large, public, and widely known universities. Also, Mercer was the only Georgia school to make the top 20 list of universities.
Being such a small institution does not hold Mercer back, as proven by this study. With a large percentage of students interested and having a willingness to play, Mercer’s size plays a positive part in building relationships and keeping college students active simultaneously. “We have such a close-knit of teams and fans that teams often request to play one another. The players and fans absolutely love it,” said the Assistant Director.
While some schools struggle to get enough participants and support, Mercer’s campus can’t seem to hold all the members that wish to register. Mercer‘s recreational staff claims that events are at capacity. They have to scale back the amount of teams that play due to the lack of facilities and possible budget restraints that come along with having so many members. In this aspect, Mercer may not have the same luxuries of space and staff as schools such as Florida State, Notre Dame, and the University of Florida (which also made the top 20 list).
With the word obviously spreading around campus, it shouldn’t be too hard for the incoming class of freshman to learn about the events, their dates and how everything in Intramurals works. With most of the information up on the website IMleagues.com, Mercer now has many more options and ways to distribute information through threads, emails and other contact information.
Not an annual survey, if a few years down the road Princeton decides to tally the percentages again, Mercer may be acknowledged in the top ten or five in the nation. “Everyone is going to play. It is our job to make sure they have an environment where they can participate and cheer on one another,” said Thomas.
UPDATE:
Sept. 9-11 are the days for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Sign up!
(09/08/11 1:31am)
Continuing the trend started from a year ago, along with their two-year deal, Mercer men’s basketball will be hosting this year’s 2011 College Basketball Experience Classic (CBE) Nov. 21-Nov. 23. Last year, Mercer basketball, Coach Hoffman, his “Hooligans” and the University Center was home to the widely popular Legend’s Classic.
In this year’s rendition, Mercer will be the host to one of two subregional sites (the other being Bowling Green, O.H.). While 12 total teams participating, four big –name schools will play in Kansas City, M.O., four smaller schools will play in Bowling Green, O.H., and the remaining four schools will play in Mercer’s University Center Arena.
The larger schools include well-known names such as Georgia (UGA), Notre Dame (ND), the University of California (Cal), and Missouri (MIZZ). Also, the smaller schools include Bowling Green, George Washington University (GWU), the University of Detroit, and Austin Peay. Most importantly, the three schools visiting Mercer for the first time in school history include Sam Houston State, Niagara, and South Dakota State (SDSU). “This is a great opportunity for our guys to play against three quality teams that we would otherwise probably never get the opportunity to play,” said head basketball coach Bob Hoffman.
The style of play for the Classic is not that of a “win or go home”, but rather an “everyone plays”. This is done so that each subregional team will have the opportunity to play one another and one of the large university squads in the regional round. When all of the regional and subregional games have been completed, the four large schools will battle it out in bracket format to see who will garner the Classic title. Last year, Duke took home the prize with point guard Kyrie Irving being awarded MVP honors. These games will be nationally televised on ESPN 2.
To take part in the regional round, Mercer will travel to Columbia, M.O. to take on Missouri on their home court in the Mizzou Arena on Nov. 14. “For anyone who knows Missouri’s history, it’s a great atmosphere for college basketball,” said Mercer’s Director of Sports Information Dave Beyer. “It is the closest to an NBA arena you will get on a college campus,” added Beyer.
Just two days after their homecoming match with Emory, the game versus Missouri will be a good indication as to where the Bears stand among the nation’s best. It is also a way for them to prepare for the challenges that lie during the following week when they face three unfamiliar squads at home. Not to mention that the Bears will take on UGA and Georgia Tech on the road in back-to-back games in December.
All in all, being able to host this tournament means a great deal to the local community and anyone affiliated with Bears basketball. “Mercer and the city of Macon know how to put on a tournament, as seen from the A-Sun tournament in recent years,” said Beyer. “We will get to prove this yet again with this Classic and two more years of being home to the A-Sun tournament,” added Beyer.
The three days prior to Thanksgiving, Niagara and SDSU will kick off the action on Nov. 21. Sam Houston and Mercer will follow in the nightcap. On Nov. 22, SDSU and Sam Houston will play before Niagara and Mercer. On the last day of the Classic, Sam Houston and Niagara will play their final match before Mercer takes on the hot-shooting SDSU team to close out the Classic. “I have seen a couple of these teams play before in the past, but obviously never as a member of the Bears. I’m looking forward to seeing a few new styles of basketball in our arena,” said Hoffman. “It can be beneficial for us if we make it to the NCAA tournament this year,” he added.
Meanwhile, Missouri plays ND as Cal faces off with Georgia on ESPN 2 in the win-or-go-home format at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, M.O. on Nov 21. The winners and losers will face off against each other on Nov. 22, as the champion will be crowned.
This year’s CBE will be one to remember. Even though it is inconveniently timed right before Thanksgiving, it will give the men’s squad the opportunity to showcase Mercer basketball to some relatives or any travelers that care to stop by. Fans might want to catch these games because this time next year, Mercer men’s basketball will be participating in the Paradise Jam of 2012 in the Virgin Islands. Further details will be released shortly.
Also, Coach Hoffman and Mercer Athletics would like to extend the opportunity to any student who wishes to learn more about possibly becoming a high school coach in the future and have the desire to learn about the game of basketball, to contact the Director of Basketball Operations Jonathan Howard at (478) 301-5211.
(09/08/11 1:01am)
An infinite amount of questions abound leading up to the 2011 season that saw everything from a free agency frenzy to a lockout that sparked a few sweats from nearly every fan in America. Here are my top 10 questions for the 2011 NFL season.
10. Will Reggie Bush re-ignite his career as a Miami Dolphin? Removed from the limelight, fans only seem to hear Bush’s name when in reference to him forfeiting his Heisman Trophy. The change of scenery to the underachieving Dolphins may put a little less pressure and maybe a little more fire under his tail. Not the every down back that others expect, Bush will likely be used to spread a defense. He is at his finest when he catches the ball on the swing and has a few yards of running room to work with.
9. Does Joe Flacco beat the Steelers and become among the “elite” quarterbacks in the NFL? One of the more consistent players of recent years, Joe Flacco has started every game with the Ravens since being drafted in 2008. Flacco has also taken his Ravens squad to the playoffs in each of those years just to see them fall to the Pittsburg Steelers. Flacco and the Ravens seem to be getting the short end of the stick in the gritty series. I think this is the year he beats Big Ben and the terrible towels.
8. Can Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions win eight or more games? A few years removed from 0-16, the Lions have been on the rise each year. With what seems to be a healthy Matthew Stafford and their dynamic duo of Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh, the Lions will soon get over the proverbial hump. In three preseason games, Stafford has thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions. With offensive production such as that to coincide with their defensive threats, the Lions have an opportunity to upset a few clubs and possibly make a run for the playoffs.
7. Does Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman outduel Matt Ryan and Drew Brees to win the division? After a 10-6 record in 2010 was not enough to make the playoffs due to the tough competition of the NFC South, the Bucs look to build on an impressive campaign and showcase by their talented young quarterback Josh Freeman. As a 7-9 record was good enough for the Seahawks to win the NFC West, it’s nearly certain it will take 11 or more wins to hold the reigns of the South. With both the Falcons and Saints finding their early exits from the 2010 postseason, Freeman and the Bucs may be able to steal a couple of games and wedge their way into the mix come January.
6. Is Peyton Manning healthy enough to play the entire 2011 season? Probably the most consistent player in the league, Peyton Manning has found himself missing the first three games of the preseason due to multiple neck surgeries in the offseason. There have been questions swirling around as to whether or not he will play in their opener and how effective he will be. The only question should be whether or not he is on the field because if he is there, healthy or not, his number will be better than most. The Colts better make sure number 18 is on the field because Dan Orlovsky, Kerry Collins, and Curtis Painter can’t carry an offense.
5. Will Tim Tebow finally get the opportunity to run the Broncos for good? What looked to be a close call in the offseason when the Broncos were considering a deal that would have sent Kyle Orton to Miami, Tim Tebow’s future is once again blurry. Now, the Broncos have announced they will be heading into 2011 with Orton at the helms once again. New Broncos coach John Fox has a lot of pressure to succeed and people want to see Tebow run the show. Expect Orton to have a short leash and if the Broncos start 0-2, number 15 could permanently be making his way off the sidelines.
4. Does Cam Newton start with the Carolina? Obviously the quarterback of the future for the Panthers, there are still questions around the league as to whether the former Heisman winner will start on Sundays. After such an impressive season that saw his name up in lights and Auburn winning the National Title, Newton may have a tough time transitioning to the NFL. With lots of raw talent, speed and the right build for an NFL quarterback, Newton may need to take a few hits and bumps in the road before he is ready to lead an NFL team.
3. Will Tom Brady and the newly acquired Patriots mesh well enough to stay among the league’s elite? With the surprising acquisitions of attention-hungry players such as Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth, the Patriots may have their hands full trying to function as a team and keep their legacy alive in Foxboro. After the first noted complaints by their new faces, the Patriots’ staff is professional enough to nip the problem in the bud and get back to their winning ways. The Patriots are going to be one of the top five teams.
2. Do the Jets finally make the Super Bowl under Rex Ryan? After many years of lofty promises and getting to the Conference Championships, it is going to be even tougher now than ever for the Jets to win. Although they were able to re-sign former Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes and pick up some veteran wide receiving talent in Derrick Mason and Plaxico Burress, the Jets lost Braylon Edwards to free agency and find themselves competing in a division and conference so tough that it would take a nearly perfect season from both their defense and Mark Sanchez to make it to Indianapolis come Feb. 5.
1. Did the Eagles pull the right strings this offseason to form a team capable of the “Dream Team” status? After flying so far under the radar a season ago, the Eagles saw their season both begin and end with losses to the eventual-champion Green Bay Packers. This year, after not having even played one snap of the regular season, most analysts have the Eagles hoisting the Lombardi trophy in early February. Having one of the busiest offseasons in recent memory, the Eagles re-signed Michael Vick to a long-term deal and picked up a plethora of players such as Vince Young, Steve Smith, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Ronnie Brown, Donald Lee, Jason Babin and the biggest name of free agency in the form of defensive back, Nnamdi Asomugha. This all looks good on paper, but we will all have to take it one game at a time to see how 2011’s pieces fall into place.
Opening Week Notables:
The 2009 champion Saints play at the 2010 champion Packers on Thursday, Sept. 8 to kick off the season.
The Eagles will be tested against Sam Bradford and the Rams to start their much-anticipated season.
The year’s first Monday Night game will feature the Patriots versus the Dolphins.
The Pittsburg Steelers face the Baltimore Ravens in the year’s first brawl that could spark some emotion as a rematch of 2010’s divisional round.
(08/18/11 10:58pm)
Another summer has come and gone, and books have begun to arrive at Mercer students’ doorsteps. Along with the bundle of fresh faces swirled in a mix of returning upperclassman, the lingering option of Greek Life recruitment begins its usual persistence.
As the school calendar turns over, incoming freshman look for acceptance as some familiar faces look for a change of their routinely pace.
Greek organizations offer many pros and cons to all students alike but may be suitable more so for some than others.
The Greek population at Mercer consists of 26 percent of the overall student body and is made up of 17 Inter/National Greek Organizations (Eight fraternities associated with the Interfraternity Council, four sororities of the Panhellenic Council, and three sororities and two fraternities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Having been around for 132 years, Greek Life at Mercer’s compact Macon campus has been a staple and a large part of being a Mercerian for those past and present.
Aside from the usual stereotype of Greek organizations, being “Greek” signifies more than just being a large part of the student body. It also ensures a person’s activeness in the community and on campus.
Just a year ago, Greek organizations raised over $80,300 and contributed over 10,000 hours of service to the community. “Some students weighing their options to go Greek believe going through recruitment might have a negative effect on their grades, but in many cases that is quite the opposite effect. Between the formation of study groups, joint lab hours and help from their peers, it can improve their studies,” said Director for Campus Life and Greek Life Carrie Ingoldsby.
A year ago, Greek members compiled a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.155. That is a few percentage points higher than that of the remaining student body.
To go along with a new close knit group of friends, joining a Greek society at Mercer could also help in the overall growth process that comes with the college experience from both peers and those who once walked in new students’ shoes. It can be its own form of personal networking through on-campus activities or outside world connections with alumni and fellow members alike.
“I think the long-lasting friendships established in Greek Life are what make it truly great. Everyone is close and always has someone they can reach out or talk to,” said Assistant Director for Campus Life and Greek Life Cindy Drury.
Although maybe not for everyone, Greek Life offers the opportunity for some hands-on job experience in their everyday lives. Whether it is through fundraising events, educational programs or community service activities, being a member of these organizations offers knowledge that may be harder to come by otherwise.
“Finding a group of people with similar values including a willingness to serve others and high academic standards can be difficult in college but Greek life provides that opportunity for many students,” added Ingoldsby.
While many positives go along with Greek Life, sacrifices will more than likely have to be made as well. Whether it is finding time for outside friends or activities, making space for weekly chapter meetings or affording the monthly dues, Greek Life may not be the easiest of choices for those in certain situations. Even though Greek organizations offer many positive opportunities, there are many other ways that students can get involved in everyday events. Non-Greek affiliates can still participate in student-run organizations, SGA office, intramural events, etc.
“If I could give some words of wisdom to those who are on the fence about recruitment, I would say ‘DO IT’. Recruitment is an experience of a lifetime and a lot of fun whether you decide to join an organization or not. We pride ourselves in having societies that do not pressure anyone to do one thing or another,” said Drury. “Recruitment is a good way for fraternities and sororities to showcase their values and morals. Each chapter is unique in their own way and they are always excited to show potential new members what their chapter is about,” she added.
If any Mercer students wish to go through this fall semester recruitment process, they are required to fill out an application either online or in the Greek Life Office located on the top floor of the Connell Student Center. All requirements for eligibility and applications for Greek members can be found at studentaffairs.mercer.edu/greek/member.cfm.
Deadlines for sorority applications are Aug. 29. Fraternity deadlines are before recruitment on Aug. 24 through Sept. 3 (Dates may vary). For more information, contact the Greek Life Offices by calling (478)301-2987 or via email at greeklife@mercer.edu.
(08/18/11 10:36pm)
Make way for another exciting year with the annual intramural leagues. Designed with all the student body in mind, these programs have all kinds of sporting activities that can suit the taste of even the pickiest of Mercer sports enthusiasts.
Coming this fall, Mercer offers season-long leagues of soccer, football and volleyball. If that weren’t enough, the Intramurals program also offers tournaments of three-on-three basketball, ultimate Frisbee, tennis, table tennis, and the sport that tells of the tale of underdogs, dodgeball.
As the program has developed through the years, it is now required for any participating members to sign up for an account on IMleagues.com before participating in these events. The team captains can sign up and create his/her team by visiting the website as well. Once a team has been created, a captain’s meeting will be held before the start of the season in order to explain the overall rules and regulations of the event. Once teams have been briefed by their team captain’s on how the sport and leagues are to be played, games will begin.
To go along with the obvious camaraderie that intramurals bring, the events carry a sense of competition and edge like nothing else. Whether it is the friends becoming foes or foes becoming friends, there is nothing like stepping onto a field or court a few times a week with peers that sit alongside us in classrooms.
This fall, whether you are a fan of futbol or American football, one thing is entirely certain, days are going to come, days or going to go, games will be played and champions will be crowned.
Sign up for intramurals today at IMleagues.com and take a step closer to garnering the all-desired championship t-shirts.
Entry Dates:
Soccer:
Deadline to register is Aug. 29.
Playing dates (tentative) are Sept. 1 to Oct. 4.
Football:
Deadline to register (tentative) is Oct. 5.
Playing dates (tentative) are Oct. 10 to Nov. 21.
Volleyball:
Deadline to register (tentative) is Nov. 9.
Playing dates (tentative) are Nov. 15 to Dec. 8.
3v3 Basketball – Sept. 7
Ultimate – Sept. 21
Tennis Singles – Oct. 12
Table Tennis – Oct. 19
Dodgeball – Oct. 26
Fall 2010 Champions:
Soccer
Co-Rec: Phi Delt &
Phi Mu
Men’s Comp: ThatsWhatSheSaid
Men’s Rec: TalkinBout Rampage
Women’s: Chi Omega
Football:
Co-Rec: ADPi/ATO
Men’s Comp: The Has Bens
Men’s Rec: Public Enema
Women’s: WANTED
Volleyball:
Co-Rec: A-Sun Champs
Men’s Comp: ATO
Men’s Rec: Circle the Wagons
Women’s: Phi Mu
(08/18/11 9:54pm)