athletics

15 alternatives to the Mirror Lake jump

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As you likely know by now, the Mirror Lake jump–a recent tradition that precedes the football game against TTUN–is slated to take place on Tuesday night. While many students may be participating (and will do so responsibly, we hope!), there are likely just as many–or more–of you who have no plans to splash around in dirty water in near-freezing temperatures. For those of you undecided about your Tuesday night plans, here are 15 alternatives to the Mirror Lake jump:

1. Get a head start on the drive home…all of the freeway lanes, none of the traffic.

2. Try out that Short North restaurant you’ve been eyeing since the start of the semester.

3. Create your own Thanksgiving meal using only items from a campus C-Store, a la “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving”:

4. Get a bird’s eye view of the jump (and your pick of the best rocking chair) from the 11th floor of Thompson library.

5. Listen to TBDBITL music on repeat…or at least until it starts to annoy your roommate(s).

6. Reread “The Hunger Games” in preparation for the final movie in the franchise…or just see the movie with your DTix discount at Gateway Film Center.

7. Watch the Ohio State Men’s basketball team take on Louisiana Tech on the Big Ten Network (8 p.m.).

8. Practice your response to holiday inquiries from family, questions like: 

What are you hoping to do with a major in [insert your major here]-

9. Try to get your own hashtag trending.

10. Wash your sheets…maybe for the first time all semester?

11. Watch all the Thanksgiving episodes of your favorite TV show(s).

12. Memorize random facts about Ohio State football players to show your true dedication to the game. For example:

Can you imagine how crowded the Jones family dinner table was when Cardale was a kid? I don’t know how he and his five siblings–Matthew, Javon, Devonte, Sheena and Naomi–all fit!

That Perry kid has got some moves…I guess that’s why he was in the top five in long jump at the Ohio high school state track and field championships. His parents, Jim and Georgette, must be so proud!

13. Create a playlist of the American Music Award winners for the drive/flight home (looking at you, 1D).

14. Stuff your face at PizzaPalooza (10 p.m.-midnight, Ohio Union west plaza).

15. Find at least eight of your closest friends to recreate this YouTube vid (admittedly more appropriate before our loss on Saturday):

Happy Beat M!ch!g@n Week, everyone!

6 Reasons Why YOU Should Play Intramural Sports

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1. KEEP THE LOVE OF PLAYING YOUR FAVORITE SPORT ALIVE: Many students at Ohio State have played at least one sport in their past, whether it was for a high school team, a church group, or a travel program of some sort. We all experienced the sadness and tears when it was finally all said and done. As first-year students, the separation from sports is still fairly fresh since you haven’t been removed for that long. Intramural sports are a PERFECT way for you to get off the bench and get back in the game!

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2. ORGANIZED GAMES: Admit it. You can only play so many pick-up basketball games at the RPAC before you get annoyed with the guy who fouls every five seconds. Sure they’re fun and competitive, but do you want a little bit more structure and organization to your games? Intramural sports provide referees or officials, record wins and losses, observe time limits or running clocks, and even have tournaments and playoffs! Intramural sports allow you to feel like you’ve never left the game!

3. EXERCISING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: We all know that since coming to college, motivation and procrastination have become our two new best friends, especially when it comes to working out. It may be difficult to find time with our busy, hectic schedules to go play a game of soccer or racquetball with some friends. With intramural sports, games are at a set day and time every week so you can budget your time accordingly!

lazy-fitnessjust_do_it

4. STRESS RELIEVER: I think it goes without saying that college is a little bit more difficult than we all thought it would be. Stress piles up on us with assignments, exams, work, social events, and everything in between. Taking time to focus on your physical wellness and health, even if it is just for a little bit every week, is vital to staying balanced. Therefore, using intramural sports as that outlet is a perfect way to keep active, stay healthy, and not look like this cat.

catt

5. SO MANY OPTIONS: Intramural sports here at Ohio State are unlike any other collegiate recreational program in the nation. We offer over 40 sports for men, women, and co-ed teams! 40! Choose from your traditional sports like football, soccer, or basketball, or the not-so-traditional like arm wrestling, chess, inner tube water polo, or broomball! You’re guaranteed to have a great time playing, no matter what sport you choose!

arm wres

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6. MEET NEW PEOPLE AND PLAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: Intramural sports give you the opportunity to make your own team with your friends or to join a random team to meet new people. Whichever route you choose, you’re bound to make great memories and meet some amazing people! Oh, and did I mention it’s a ton of fun?

Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Caron Butler

So now that you’ve been convinced to play some intramural sports, it’s time to dust off those baseball cleats, dig the tennis racquet out from the back of your closet, and put on your game face! Head over to recsports.osu.edu/intramural-sports to check out everything that is offered! In case you skipped the previous line or were reading too fast, it’s recsports.osu.edu/intramural-sports!! See you out there!