We Need High School Intramurals Paul Losch's Community Blog, posted by Paul Losch, a resident of Palo Alto, on Mar 13, 2011 at 3:39 pm Paul Losch is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online
Let us celebrate the chanpions Palo Alto schools have this year.
And let us think about most of the students who are not part of that cohort.
I remember when I was in college that intramural activities were a big part of my life on campus. My son is a PALY grad, and graduated from college 2 years ago, and he felt intramural activities were a key part of his college experience.
Is it time to develop an intermural program at Gunn and PALY?
Posted by palo alto mom, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Mar 13, 2011 at 4:38 pm
It's a great idea, but after the HS teams, then the youth teams (little league, njb, etc.) play, is there any gym time or space available? I know when I was in college, the intramural schedule went late into the night with games at midnight.
Posted by Crescent Park Dad, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Mar 13, 2011 at 4:51 pm
As stated above - the fields, gyms and pools are booked by the Varsity/JV teams. For example, 4 basketball teams (both genders and two teams each)...some of these teams don't get home until 8pm or later.
Perhaps they create a lunchtime league, but no practice or games after school.
Posted by AMR, a resident of another community, on Mar 14, 2011 at 10:00 am
I think it's time that you invest in a high-caliber spell check.
Aside from that, both high schools in Palo Alto have many sport options for students to join. There are also many community options for sport like soccer and basketball. Why would the school need to add more when they're cutting other programs because of budget concerns? How many students who try out for sports teams but don't make it onto the teams? Would intramurals be for them?
Posted by Darwin, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Mar 18, 2011 at 11:23 am
I don't think so.
We had intramural sports in my high school, but it was a closed campus high school (had to stay on school grounds during lunchtime) so it was relatively successful.
Therefore, I don't think it's something that Paly/Gunn students would be interested in since it's the only time that playing fields/gyms would be available.
Furthermore, it's not like college where only the best athletes get to play sports which opens up things like intramurals to be an exciting outlet for physical exertion.
In high school, there is almost always a sport that a teen can play competitively if not through the school then through club sports like rugby and crew.