The University of Oklahoma has one of the most active Intramural Sports programs in the country, logging more than 28,000 participations per year. Whether you enjoy structured leagues or informal activities, this is the place for you. The mission of the program is to provide exercise, recreation, competition, and fun to all participants and employees in a relaxed, yet structured environment. Participation in Intramural Sports activities can provide individuals with an enjoyable recreational experience, help develop habits that carry over into everyday life, promote wholesome social relationships and sportsmanship, and provide an opportunity for the development of a healthy body and mind.
CLUB SPORTS
Those looking for competitive events outside of the Intramural Sports realm, check out the Club Sports Page for OU Club Team offerings.
For the complete list of events, download the Event List or the IMS Calendar below. Contact Jonathan Dewhirst, Intramural Sports Coordinator, at (405) 325-3053 to learn more about Intramural Sports.
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players (singles) or two opposing pairs (doubles), who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their opponents' half of the court. Each side may only strike the shuttlecock once before it passes over the net. A rally ends once the shuttlecock has struck the floor, or if a fault has been called by either the umpire or service judge or, in their absence, the offending player, at any time during the rally.
In an epic aquatic battle between ships and their crews. Three team members in a canoe and one in the water (as the guide) will work to toss water into competitor’s canoes to sink them in the pool. We’ll have buckets and shields ready for canoe members. The last boat floating wins! All participants must be able to swim and no pirates allowed.
4 v 4 beach volleyball is played on a sand court with two teams of four players each, who compete to send a ball over a net and land it in the opponent’s court. Unlike indoor volleyball, the sand surface requires players to adapt their movements, emphasizing agility, endurance, and tactical positioning. Each team has up to three touches to return the ball, focusing on effective communication and teamwork to win sets.
Dodgeball means any game in which players try to hit other players with balls and avoid being hit. The main objective is to eliminate all members of the opposing team by hitting them with thrown balls, catching a ball thrown by a member of the opposing team, or forcing them outside of the court boundaries.
Flag football is a fast-paced game based on traditional American football in which participants wear flag belts that are pulled to end a play rather than tackling the player. The sport features two teams of 4 to 8 players on a smaller playing field. Teams advance the football downfield by running or passing in attempt to score a touchdown. Punting is utilized, but kickoffs and field goals are not traditionally part of a flag football game. Among intramural sports, flag football is often one of the more popular offerings.
Pickleball is a fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net, it uses a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It can be played as doubles or singles and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.
The title explains all you need to know. Winners are determined by the total distance of their punts, passes and kicks.
Racquetball is a fast-paced indoor sport played with a hollow rubber ball and a racquet in a four-walled court. Players aim to hit the ball against the front wall in such a way that their opponent cannot return it before it bounces twice. The game combines agility, strategy, and power, making for an exciting and dynamic experience.
Spikeball is a team sport played by two teams of two players. Opposing teams line up across from each other with the Spikeball net in the center. The ball is put in play with a service—a hit by the server from behind the service boundary into the net to an opposing player. Once the ball is served players can move anywhere they want. The object of the game is to hit the ball into the net so that the opposing team cannot return it. A team is allowed up to three touches to return the ball. The rally continues until the ball is not returned properly.
Softball is a team sport popular in intramural programs across the United States. It is a direct descendant of baseball, although played with a larger ball that is pitched underhand rather than overhand.
Table tennis, also nown as ping pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth with rackets or paddles. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net. Except for the initial serve, players must allow a ball played toward them only one bounce on their side of the table and must return it so that it bounces on the opposite side. This game can be played inside or outside. Points are scored when a player fails to return the ball within the rules.
Tennis is a racket sport that is played either individually against a single opponent (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). Each player uses a tennis racket that is strung with cord to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over or around a net and into the opponent's court. The object of the game is to maneuver the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to play a valid return. The player who is unable to return the ball validly will not gain a point, while the opposite player will.
A triathlon is a multi-sport with three continuous and sequential endurance races. The Intramural Sports Triathlon includes cycling, swimming, and running over various distances. Triathletes compete for fastest overall course completion. The cycling is on a stationary bike and must complete 1.5 miles. The swimming component is a 100 yards followed by a .75 mile run around Cross Center.
This Three Point Shootout, also known as Two Ball, is a competitive partner shooting game where each team will start with a participant in each corner and their partner will stand under the rim. The shooter needs to make five shots around the three-point arc with their partner rebounding for them. Once all five shots are made, the shooter and rebounder trade places and go in reverse order. The first two-person team to make all ten shots wins the game.
Golf is a precision club and ball sport in which competing players (or golfers) use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a course using the fewest number of strokes. Golf is defined, in the rules of golf, as "playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules."
Basketball is one of the most popular team sports in which students participate on campuses across North America. Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891 and was originally played with nine players and peach baskets instead of metal hoops. Today basketball is usually played on a court in which team of five players attempt to score points by throwing or placing a ball through a metal hoop.
Indoor volleyball is a team sport played on a rectangular court divided by a net, where two teams of six players each aim to score points by sending a ball over the net and into the opponent’s court. Each team is allowed three touches to return the ball, typically involving a bump or pass, a set, and a spike or attack. The game emphasizes teamwork, precise coordination, and strategic positioning to outmaneuver the opposing team and win sets.
Soccer (known as football in most of the world) is considered by many to be the most popular game in the world. The exact origins of soccer are unknown, but the “Laws of the Game” were enacted in England in 1863. These rules are still the basis for the way the game is played today. The object of the game is to score by driving the ball down the field and into the opponent’s goal. With the exception of the goalie, in general play, players are not allowed to use their hands.
All University of Oklahoma students (Norman, OKC and Tulsa) who are currently enrolled for the semester are eligible to participate in Intramural Sports. Norman Campus, Research Campus and OUHSC faculty/staff may participate in Intramural Sports. All students, faculty and staff must have legal entry into all facilities to participate in Intramural Sports activities. OU non fee-paying students (online, HSC, part-time) and Faculty and staff must purchase access to Sarkeys Fitness Center for indoor Intramural events.
All individuals who wish to play a sport, but do not have a team, may sign up as a free agent. Discover how to register as a free agent using the FusionPlay how-to videos.
Intramural Sports participants are free to participate as much or as little as they want. The Intramural Sports Department does not schedule practice times for teams. Participants are free to use our facilities to practice, but teams must follow the rules and restrictions of our recreation facilities.
Each participant may play on ONE same gender team and ONE coed team (if applicable) per sport.
Players may only be added to rosters if they have not played for any other team during that specific sport. Players may be added to a roster at any time, including during a game already in progress. Players can be added to a roster online within FusionPlay. Discover how using the FusionPlay how-to videos.
Special circumstances must be discussed with Jonathan Dewhirst, Intramural Sports Coordinator.
Do not assume that your game is cancelled due to weather. Do not call the Sarkeys Fitness Center asking questions regarding weather. The Intramural Sports Department will use FusionPlay to notify participants.
Each participant must provide their own Sooner Card ID to the Intramural Sports Staff prior to competition.
Each individual will receive an Intramural Sports Championship t-shirt.
Intramural Sports hires University of Oklahoma students to work as employees throughout the year, specifically as officials. You can work as many, or as few, sports as you would like. Employees may play and work, as there’s plenty of flexibility.
New employee orientation and officials training sessions lead up to officiated sports. Officials are needed for the following sports: flag football, 6-on-6 volleyball, 5-on-5 basketball, 8v8 soccer and softball; the rate of pay is $9.75/game. Other positions available: student supervisors, equipment managers, and graduate assistants. Check out the Employment page for more information on how to join the Intramural Sports team.
Contact Jonathan Dewhirst, Intramural Sports Coordinator, at (405) 325-3053 or email fitrec@ou.edu
