Most are familiar with or aware of USI Intramural Sports and how it brings opportunities to students on campus by connecting people and providing mental, physical and competitive stimulation.
However, some may not know that USI also has an Intramurals Hall of Fame. This program was founded by Chase Mosser, USI alumnus, to reward those who achieved a certain level of accomplishment in the intramural program.
From Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mosser was completely new to this region of Indiana. To meet new people and maintain his competitive spirit, Mosser began competing in intramurals, and from the word ‘go,’ he was hooked. He loved to put his absolute all into competing against other students in various competitions. Throughout four years of college, he felt intramurals “had a special place in my heart.”
Mosser returned to USI to work in intramurals January 2022, where he felt most at home. Mosser wanted to give back to the community through this area of work. He felt this was the way he was going to make his mark on the world and give young adults more opportunities to meet others and represent their competitive spirit. Working with Nathan Sevenish, graduate assistant, Mosser came up with an incentive for those who competed at the highest level of intramurals. Mosser and Sevenish speculated on the criteria that needed to be met in order for potential candidates to be inducted. After weeks of discussion, the partnership landed on the requirements for induction. Inductees must meet at least one of the following to be eligible:
- 120 total wins
- 10 total championships
- Winning the same championship four years in a row
In addition, inductees must average a 3.8 sportsmanship rating throughout their careers.
By Spring 2023, the idea came to fruition with the establishment of the official USI Intramural Hall of Fame. In the inaugural induction, five players and three staff members were inducted in a ceremony, an event that was open to all title winners, along with fraternity and sorority teams that won their respective competitions.
The number five was an important quota to Mosser. “If you get more than that, then it might be too easy to get in,” Mosser said. “You get less than that, it can be too hard.”
When asked about the process of contacting players and staff who were close to meeting the criteria, Mosser had a specific approach. He put an emphasis on notifying seniors first, as they had limited time to participate in competitions. For the rest of the players, Mosser wanted to be careful, as telling others who were close to induction might give them a message to let off or get too comfortable, which could have a negative impact.
Mosser said the hall of fame program will continue to make alterations to this system to remain dynamic.
One of these adjustments is marketing for recruitment. The intramurals program has banners and signs across campus to market to the largest population of students possible.
“A lot of people walk around the campus, they see a sign they don’t really want to stop to read, especially incoming freshmen who are still trying to learn where they are, who they are, what do, they want to be a part of, and intramurals could be that for them,” Mosser said.
Mosser conducted a study regarding intramural participation and found that most participants were juniors and seniors.
Mosser said he plans to present intramural sessions during freshmen orientations to “bring everyone in.”