Going for recruitment in college sports can be a lengthy process and daunting commitment—all while entering the next phase of your life. While official college athletics is the path for some, it may not be realistic for all, which is why intramural and club sports programs can allow you to continue your athletic endeavors without as much pressure and commitment.
After practicing a sport for your whole high school career—or your whole life up until this point—why should you have to let it go in college? 2025 LFHS alumni Kashyap Prasad, Ryan Rice, Nastia Belova, and Ibrahim Hashim will tell you a little more about their experience and offer insight to those considering furthering their athletic career post-high school.
LFHS graduate and Boys Varsity Soccer alumni, Kashyap Prasad, has enjoyed getting involved in intramural sports at the University of Illinois during his freshman year. At Illinois, Prasad has joined an intramural soccer team which he found out about from tour guides, as well as people who went there before him.
This program has provided Prasad with a way to connect with his sport, as well as to meet a group of new friends.
“I love being a part of the team and it’s become my set of friends that I hang out with,” Prasad said.
On his intramural team, they don’t have regular practices but rather play pick up soccer games against other teams. There are multiple levels of competition, providing options for different types of athletes.
“It’s an awesome way to keep up with the sports that I miss so much,” Prasad said. “I’m really looking forward to more, and possibly different sports next year.”
LFHS Varsity Girls Field Hockey, Basketball, and Soccer alumni Ryan Rice is also involved in an intramural sports program at the University of Michigan. Rice was an accomplished Varsity Field Hockey and Varsity Soccer captain her senior year, and intramural programs give her the opportunity to continue playing sports at her new school.
“I heard about the intramurals, honestly, about a year ago the first time I ever visited Michigan,” Rice said.
After hearing about the wide variety of teams, she did some research and found Michigan had hundreds of sports and teams to join. The school makes it easy and accessible to join by using an app called Fusion, which allows you to either join or create a team.
As far as commitment and level goes, Rice’s team has practice once a week in addition to playing games, which she describes as the perfect amount for her.
“It’s fun because it’s actually really competitive. We have all played club soccer previously, and three girls I used to play against. Everyone’s just really good,” Rice said.
In a new environment, this has been one of Rice’s favorite parts about school so far, and she would “one hundred percent recommend it to others.”
2025 LFHS graduate and previous Girls Varsity Tennis captain, Nastia Belova, has gotten involved with club tennis this fall at Duke University.
This program has both allowed her to keep playing tennis, as well as introduce her to a group of people of different backgrounds, ages, and interests. While Duke’s club tennis team holds practice three days a week, they are generally laid back and not obligatory. They also provide the opportunity to pick your own lineup between who plays doubles, singles, etc.
“I love the social aspect of it,” said Belova. “Everyone’s always excited at practice and it’s just a fun thing we all get to do throughout the week—no toxicity or high pressure.”
Belova notes that club tennis is different from childhood tennis environments, however it reminds her of high school tennis where you’re on a team with people who really want you to succeed, all while having fun.
Another recent graduate and previous Boys Varsity Soccer player, Ibrahim Hashim, talks about his experience so far with intramural programs at George Washington University.
Hashim has noticed a stark difference between this soccer program, and previous programs he has been a part of. In contrast to high school soccer, the commitment is based mostly on your own personal interest.
“There’s not an insane amount of pressure or consequences if you miss a practice or game, but you’re still playing the sport you love. You’re all adults in college, and people treat you as such,” Hashim said.
His favorite part has been getting to play competitively without intense pressure.
“If you want to play competitively, but not at the collegiate level, intramurals are perfect for you,” Hashim said.
If you have the desire to keep playing sports in college, intramural and club programs are a great option to consider. Not only to have fun, but to find your own community as a new student in a new environment.
