Intramurals: More Than Just A Game

By: Latham Childress ‘19 communication

Each year, there are two teams that always catch the attention of opponents and spectators: Tune Squad and The Golden Receivers.  Both teams have a large presence in the NC State intramural sports scene, competing in countless sports over the years. Not only are these two teams known for their presence in intramural sports, but they are highly regarded for their teamwork and sportsmanship.

Tune Squad

In the fall 2014 semester, a group of freshman living in Tucker Hall shared one common interest: playing sports.  Being very athletic in high school, they wanted a way to continue playing the sports they had grown up with, which they found through intramural sports.  They later named their team Tune Squad, which has grown over the years in both size and commitment.

Ryan Huyett ‘19, a student in the Masters of Accounting program, who also completed his undergraduate studies at NC State, is the current team captain and has been a member of Tune Squad since its inception.  “Most of us played football and basketball, some of us were track athletes and some of us played baseball,” he said. “We all loved the competitive spirit and we all got really close by living on the same hall together. We then made the team and have stuck with it for four years.”

[pullquote cite=”Ryan Huyett” color=”wolfpackred” align=”alignleft”]If you stick with the same team for four years, then they’re going to be some of the best friends you have ever made in your life. There’s no question about it.[/pullquote]

Golden Receivers

As for The Golden Receivers, they were formed seven years ago by a group of veterinary students looking for a study break.  “They [former veterinary students] already had a team when we came in as first-year veterinary students. It’s a tradition that we have taken over,” said veterinary student Ty Smith ‘20, serving as captain of the team.  “We [the team members] are always veterinary students, and there are some that even play on all teams.”

Classmates, Companions and Confidants

The teams’ dedication to friendship and community has lead to exemplary teamwork and successes during play.  Tune Squad has kept the same members while gaining new members every year. The team has a great bond, as they even socialize together outside of sports.  “We are best friends,” said Huyett. “We will hang out outside of class, outside of intramural sports, all the time. I used to go to Carmichael with a lot of them, and I have roomed with them all four years, so it’s been a big part of our lives.”

The many successes of Tune Squad is the result of the team’s close bonds they have created with one another.  Tune Squad won the spring 2017 7-on-7 basketball championship and have participated in numerous finals.

For The Golden Receivers, intramural sports has allowed the team to grow closer outside of the classroom.  “We’re together all day, every day in vet school classes,” said Tia Simon ‘20. “A lot of us study together, a lot of us do a bunch of social events at the vet school together.  All of the vet school students are a very tight-knit group.”

“It’s a good break from studying because as vet students we spend a lot of time in the classroom,” Simon said.  “It’s a good way to step away from the school world and just hang out with your friends”

Jen Gerbe ‘19, a program assistant for intramural sports, described both teams as being respectful on and off the court.  The two team captains both agreed that respect is essential in being a successful team. “We’re always out there to have fun and be competitive.  And we can appreciate other teams playing really well,” said Huyett. “When we lose, the other team outplayed us. It is just giving people the respect they deserve, and being a part of teams our entire lives has helped us learn how to respect people and be friends with everyone.”

The close bond between the members of The Golden Receivers is what has helped them to show respect and good sportsmanship toward opposing teams.  “We do a good job of keeping each other relaxed, calm and respectful,” said Smith. “It’s very easy for us to really get into a competition.”

Simon added, “We’re very good at laughing it off.  If something bad happens, we calm everyone down and are able to joke about it later on.”

Although the two teams achieved many victories, they do not come without setbacks.  “We’ve faced different challenges during games, like being down in score,” Huyett said.  “As a group, we have been through everything together because we’re so close of friends.”

Since the team has such a strong connection, their greatest challenge is having to adjust to new players when others cannot make a game.  “Last year, we had an incident in the playoffs where we were missing a lot of our players that were pretty crucial to us winning. We had to play with new people added to our team because we didn’t have enough players.”  However, the team was able to quickly adjust and ended up winning the game.

One of the biggest challenges the Golden Receivers faces is getting people to come out to participate in sports, as they are all very focused veterinary school students.  “Before the season starts, we go around and ask everyone what times and nights work best,” said Smith. “But, we are vet students and that comes first. So, sometimes it might just be we only have eight people coming out, and we kind of just play and do the best we can.

For both teams, playing intramural sports has had a huge impact on their time at NC State.  “If you stick with the same team for four years, then they’re going to be some of the best friends you have ever made in your life.  There’s no question about it, you’ll have a lot of fun,” said Huyett. “Just go in with an open mind and be ready to have fun, be ready to compete and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and do something that you may be on the fence about.”

Smith added, “It is a fun way to hang out with some of your friends. It’s a good break from whatever other stressors you have going through your mind.”

To learn more about intramural sports offerings at Wellness and Recreation, download the IMLeagues app or visit wellrec.ncsu.edu.