At UNC, there are around 6,500 students who have found a sense of community through club and intramural sports, despite not being able to commit to Division I athletics. The Campus Recreation program offers 51 different activities that cater to a wide range of interests from quadball to ballroom dance. Justin Ford, the Assistant Director for Sports Programs, oversees these activities and emphasizes the benefits of being involved in intramural and club sports.
Ford notes that these activities provide a sense of community and foster student development. He aims to provide resources for every club to be successful without placing undue pressure on them to compete or travel extensively. One such club that has found success within the Campus Recreation program is the table tennis club. Junior Daniel Xie, the vice president and treasurer of the club, appreciates the availability of tables on campus for a quick stress-relieving outlet. He values the flexibility of practice schedules and sees playing sports as an important part of maintaining a balanced life. Xie’s teammate, Jai Hyeon Lee, shares this sentiment and believes that participating in intra-club play helps maintain a sense of equilibrium between studying, socializing, and playing sports.
