Athletics
Intramural athletics provide an amazing opportunity for students across the campus to get an opportunity to relax and participate in a wide variety of sports. Undergraduates, graduates, alumni, and staff compete every week with the same goal—to have fun. Of course, qualifying for playoffs is exciting, and so is winning championships, but the underlying concept is merely to find an escape from the grind of daily class work without making a varsity commitment.
Last spring, Theta Xi found itself competing (and winning) in three intramural sports: softball, billiards, and ultimate-Frisbee. Our success on the field and on the tables was apparent, as all three teams earned playoff berths in their respective sports. Alumni contributions from players like David Bailey, Δ1005, and especially Camilo Aladro, Δ1024, were crucial in the success of our ultimate-Frisbee team, which was eventually eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. Our billiards team, consisting of Evan Gerard, Δ1060, Quinn Vollmert, Δ1066, and Luis Garay, Δ1076, was strong throughout the regular season, going undefeated in five matches. Their campaign finally ended with a loss in the semifinals of the championship tournament.
This year, Theta Xi plans on fielding teams in no less than eight sports. Our fall sports are bowling, dodgeball, and soccer. Oddly enough, all three sports found themselves playing against Phi Kappa Sigma (Skullhouse) in their first matches of the season—and all three were victorious. Theta Xi bowling makes its return this year led by alumnus Craig Brophy, Δ1049. Meanwhile, soccer and dodgeball continue to be house favorites. At the moment, teams in all three sports continue to win their matches, and are on their way to another set of triumphant seasons.
Currently, Paul Blascovich has taken on a personal role in the MIT IM program. Last spring, he was elected to the IM Executive Council, which oversees the execution of all IM sports. In addition, he has taken on the position as Manager of three of these sports: soccer, air pistol, and volleyball. The IM program has helped him realize his role as a leader on campus, and he thanks Theta Xi for this accomplishment. Last year, it was his experience as Theta Xi’s IM Chair (“Jock Comm”) that introduced me to the program.
We love having alumni compete with us, and we encourage those interested to contact Associate Member Jared Sadoian, current Jock Comm, if you are interested in playing. Players like Aladro and Brophy help to ensure that Theta Xi sports become a long-standing tradition in our house and that our house will always be known for our athletics as much as our academics.