The gymnasium at the Avis Alaska Sports Complex is a great place to practice your basketball and volleyball skills. Photo courtesy of Matthew Schmitz.
Many of us played sports in high school, but very few of us are able to play competitive sports in college. That doesn't mean you have to give up on athletics completely. Instead, head to the Avis Alaska Sports Complex and join an intramural sports team.
The Avis Alaska Sports Complex – formerly known as the Seawolf Sports Complex – is attached to the Student Union. It contains UAA's pool, ice rink and other public gym facilities.
In an interview with Director of Recreation and Intramural Sports Julie Weber, she said that UAA's intramural sports exist "primarily to enhance the educational experience outside the classroom through participation in recreational activities, as well as support mental health through exercise."
Intramural sports "promote health, wellbeing and competition through the use of the fitness center, olympic weight room, ice hockey rink, pool and gymnasium," said Weber.
Additionally, you don't have to have previous experience in sports to participate. Weber said in the interview that intramural sports are open to "any skill level."
The program has a lot to offer, including team sports, fitness facilities and games.
As a student at UAA, you have free access to the sports complex. To use the complex’s facilities, show your wolfcard to the front desk located on the lower level. They'll give you a wristband that proves you're a student, and then you're welcome to use the equipment!
You can view the hours that the Avis Alaska Sports Complex is open on UAA's website.
In order to participate in the intramural program, you have to be taking at least one credit at UAA.
If you're competing in a one night event – such as pac-man or archery tag – it's free. Just show up and have fun. However, if you're interested in joining a league – such as volleyball or basketball – there's a $10 fee per league you compete in.
The currently active leagues are 6-on-6 volleyball, 5-on-5 basketball, 4-on-4 volleyball and 3-on-3 basketball. The leagues all take place at the Avis Alaska Sports Complex.
6-on-6 and 3-on-3 volleyball compete on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
5-on-5 basketball competes Mondays and Tuesdays and 3-on-3 basketball competes on Thursdays. Both leagues run from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
You can sign up with your friends if you already have a specific team in mind. If you're not sure who you want on your team, that's fine too! They'll assign you a team when you get there.
You can learn more about upcoming events by searching "Avis Alaska Sports Complex" on Instagram or Facebook. You can also head straight to the sports complex and sign up by scanning the QR code on the flyers posted throughout the facility.
Join today and relive your high school glory days!
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