A new intramural sport is bringing the fun back to athletics for students at Murray State.

Just one year ago in the spring of 2013, the intramural sports program introduced a new and unique activity. Inner tube water polo, which is played in the Wellness Center pool, kicked off its first year with 15 participating teams. Compared to its first season, according to IMleagues.com, the program has gained three more teams.

After seeing the success and excitement that water polo brought to the University, different organizations decided to join the fun. White Residential College, for example, is one of the residential colleges that registered for its first season.

Nolan Wells, athletic director for White, is anxious to see how his team will do in its first year of participating.

“I feel kind of nervous about playing because we’re the young rookies in it,” Wells said. “But I think we’ll be conservative about the rules and just play for fun. The people that I got to sign up are fun people to be around who just want to enjoy it.”

Wells said that even though it’s their first year, he hopes that his players can still do well and enjoy it at the same time.

Steven Leitch, director of Campus Recreation, said bringing the fun and enjoyment back to athletics is the reason why this sport was introduced. Leitch said he hopes that the uniqueness of this sport will continue to help bring out more non-traditional students who aren’t regularly involved in athletics or social activities.

The 2014 inner tube water polo teams kicked off their season with two games Sunday afternoon. For team standings and schedules, reference IMleagues.com.

Story by Halle Shae Pinkham, Contribution from JMC 397