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Alternative sports can help in spicing up a workout

Written by Dustin L. Dangli, The Shorthorn Scene Editor

Wednesday, 09 September 2009 05:52 PM

One sport is synonymous with Texas — football. Some sports represent the university such as basketball and wheelchair basketball. While those sports are well known to the public, students can get involved in other activities not as popular in these parts.

ULTIMATE FRISBEE

Ultimate Frisbee puts a competitive spin on the flying disc that’s become synonymous with campus life. The sport is growing a larger fan base and the UTA’s Ultimate Frisbee Club is always looking for more people to get involved.

Women’s team captain Ashley Goodwin said she competes in Ultimate because it isn’t an everyday sport.

“I like playing Ultimate because it is different,” she said. “The atmosphere surrounding the sport is awesome. It actually requires many physical skills, running, throwing, etc. that you can’t get from all sports.”

Ultimate Frisbee pits two teams against each other in a race to 15 points, on a field close to the size of a soccer field.

Goodwin said Ultimate is a mix of soccer and football with one team focused on scoring and another on playing defense. Team members on offense must pass the disc to a teammate in the end zone on either end of the field.

The challenge is in the disc holder’s movement, which is limited to pivoting, and the player has a limited amount of time to pass the disc.
The defensive team tries to get a turnover by intercepting a pass, or making the disc hit the ground.

Both the women’s and men’s teams compete against other clubs. Rather than play in multiple exhibitions, clubs in the surrounding area meet at tournaments.

Men’s team co-captain Ryan LaValley said interested students with no experience can come and learn how to play.

“There’s a big social aspect,” he said. “After practices people don’t just go off and do their own thing, we usually hang out.”

Men interested can e-mail the team for more information at maverick.frisbee@gmail.com and ashblonda_xoxo@yahoo.com for the women’s team.

BILLIARDS

For the students who stalk pool halls looking for a challenge, there’s a university club for them.

The Billiards Club at UTA calls Bowling and Billiards, in the University Center, their home.

“Eighty percent of our members are always at Bowling and Billiards,” said club president Khang Tran.

He said the club usually plays on the first table and people interested can introduce themselves to the members and start playing.

“We’re open to everyone who’s willing to learn,” Khang said. “It’s a good way to broaden your communication skills while learning how to play billiards.”

The club competes in tournaments against numerous schools in the area like the University of North Texas and the University of Texas at Dallas. Khang said the club practices 9-ball because that’s played at most tournaments but there are occasional 8-ball tourneys.
Khang said students should play billiards because players can challenge themselves.

“It’s not the fact that you have to be better than the other person, but being focused on the game,” he said. “It’s 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical.”

RACQUETBALL

Even though this activity does not have a club on campus, racquetball, has acquired a following since the university opened the Maverick Activities Center.

Business management junior Steven Abalos said he started playing this semester but already loves the sport.

“At first I was a little timid but it gets your blood going,” he said.

Racquetball is played in a closed court. To score players aim to have the ball bounce twice before an opponent can return the ball against a wall, almost like half-court tennis.

Graphic design sophomore Israel Castillo said he plays because the rubber ball moves quickly and gives him a constant rush. The court’s smaller size allows the ball to bounce off several walls and requires concentration.

“You never know where the ball is going to go or how fast it’s moving,” he said. “It’s not like basketball where you just have to shoot the ball, you have to pay attention.”

Biology freshman Canyon Ellis said he started playing the sport because the basketball courts at the MAC were always packed. He started just hitting the ball around and easily got into the sport.

“I use to play tennis and it’s easier than tennis,” he said.

MAC allows students to rent equipment without a fee but requires reserving one of the five courts. For reservations call 817-272-5289.

“Like longboarding is the new skateboarding, racquetball is the new tennis,” Castillo said.

TRIATHLON

A club on campus allows people to do a little bit of everything.

The UTA Triathlon Club offers a community for triathlon competition training.

Races comprise three portions: swimming, biking and running.

Justin Pena, UTA triathlon club president, said there are three types of triathlons, but most club members participate in Olympic-style competitions. These races include a 1500 meter swim, a 24 mile bike ride and a 6.2 mile run.

“Our goal is for everyone to do at least one race,” he said.

Pena said the basics of the club are for a group of students to train together, no matter the experience level. He said the group has exercise sessions planned every weekday and reserves the weekends for competitions or more strenuous workouts.

Those interested can e-mail utatriathlon@gmail.com or visit the club’s Facebook page, UTA Triathlon.

“Students should join because it’s a good way to stay in shape, you don’t need to work out by yourself, and you got people to motivate you,” Pena said. “Work hard and be rewarded.”

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Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 January 2010 01:42 PM )

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