Graduate Soccer Intramurals Help Students Stay Focused

 

Are you a former college soccer player or just like to play the sport for fun?

Both answers can lead you to playing for the Newhouse Seagulls intramural and indoor soccer team. The team began in 2007 and is still coached by Roy Gutterman, Newspaper and Online journalism professor and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech.

“If you are going to play in a league like this, you need to have experience,” said Gutterman. “We have had players from college, players from other countries. Last year we had players from Ireland, Russia, Puerto Rico, Germany, China and Denmark. Last year was a real international team.”

The team starts with an indoor league and continues into a fall outdoor intramural season. The team’s founder, Michael Cree ‘08, named the team, Seagulls, after his hometown team in Ireland. As when it was founded, the team is comprised of only graduate students.

“After playing in college I really appreciate how laid-back everything is,” Arielle Moncure, a Newhouse Public Relations and Maxwell Public Diplomacy student said. “Not to say that we don’t take it seriously, but it’s definitely not as high-pressure as it was in college. I was a little hesitant to start playing again, but playing intramural soccer makes me remember why I fell in love with the game all of those years ago.”

Moncure stressed that playing on the Seagulls is a great way to meet new people. Beginning graduate school is usually an adjustment, but players like Kristen Filicia, a Public Relations student said it helps her stay healthy.

“It’s fun to play soccer and get some good exercise,” Filicia said. “I wasn’t expecting people to be good and all soccer players, but it makes it more competitive.”

Other than meeting new people and making friends, the team serves as a resourceful stress outlet. Exercising and participating are two healthy ways to stay disciplined with schoolwork and boost energy levels.

“Team sports are fun, camaraderie is good, and because we have that sort of connect with each other, that makes it more fun I think,” Jake Cappuccino, a Magazine, Newspaper and Online student said. “We are all going through the same thing together. We are going through a professional training.”

If you are interested in playing for the Seagulls, contact Roy Gutterman at rsgutter@syr.edu.