With fall approaching, new things are beginning to happen. Temperatures are dropping, schoolwork is increasing and flag football is in season.

Loyola’s Wellness program is offering flag football as an intramural sport this semester along with soccer and volleyball. Intramural sports can be a positive lifestyle addition. Zach Bracey, assistant director of Wellness said, “I think there are many benefits to participating in intramurals. Besides being a great way to engage in physical activity, it’s also an opportunity to meet new people, enjoy time with friends, show school spirit, and participate in a fun and friendly environment.”

Flag football kicked off at Avenger Field Saturday, Sept. 18,with four games back-to-back. Games were cancelled the following week due to rain, so most teams are only one or two games into the season. Because members can choose which team to join, some of the 13 teams have more players than others.

Reasonable Doubt, for example, may have lost their first game because of fewer members, but captain Carlos Macias, communication law junior, has full confidence in his squad. “We looked good for playing only seven guys the entire game against a team that rotated in both offence and defense. But since then we have come up with some plays and made sure to have substitutes for the next game. I think our chances look good for this season,”Macias said.

The flag football program is kept on schedule through the website www.imleagues.com. Athletics and Wellness director and basketball head coach Michael Giorlando, said the website is a new addition to Loyola’s intramural program. “It gives students, faculty, staff and alumni easier access to start a team, join a team, follow statistics, and watch for up-to-date announcements,” Giorlando said.

Players are able to get creative and choose their own team name. Last year’s champs, for instance, were the Sloppy Roast Beef Eaters. Playing this season are teams like Goon Squad, Low Expectations and the Step Dads.

Reasonable Doubt team member Michael Perenich, communication law junior, explained the origin of his team name. “Our team is called Reasonable Doubt because there are three primary standards of proof in the law, a preponderance of evidence, clear and convincing evidence, and beyond a reasonable doubt, which is how confident we are about winning the championship this year.” Macias created Reasonable Doubt in an effort to get law students with a common sports background involved in intramurals.

“A lot of my teammates played high school or college football, so this gives them the opportunity to play a sport they’ve played most of their lives,” Macias said.

Illegal Contact captain, Gerard Gaudet, civil law freshman, finds flag football to be a much-needed escape from academia. “The league offers us, as law students, a chance to get away from the strenuous workload of school and have some competitive fun.”

Undergraduate freshman and team member of So Loco Fresh, biology freshman Jonathan Lam, agreed. “Being a biology pre-med major, I’m always studying. Playing flag football gives me a way to de-stress. It also gives me a good workout,” Lam said.

As a freshman, Lam is the youngest on a team of law students, but is no stranger to flag football. “I wanted to join a team because I created the flag football team at my high school and enjoyed it. My teammates are older and treat me like a kid, but at the same time they have respect for my athleticism,” Lam said.

Games take place Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. All are encouraged to come out and show support. Anyone interested in joining or starting a team can contact Zach Bracey at 504-864-7356 or email him at [email protected].

Scott O’Brien can be reached at [email protected]