Why it’s Impossible to Play Soccer at the University of Richmond

Let’s go down the list of possible places to play, and why we can’t play there:

IM Fields: You would think, perfect place to play! The Intramural Fields. Those must be available for student use. Yes, for student organizations. Not student use per say. Are you trying to play after classes? Good luck trying to find an open field, with Rugby, Ultimate Frisbee, and Club Soccer on the field. Trying to play on the weekends? That’s when the University sells the space to local sports leagues. Or, they tell you to get off the field because 6 guys with cleats “ruins the field.”

And, in latest news, the IM Fields will become a parking lot when we have football games.

The Turf Field: She’s a beauty, but no one will really expects to be able to play on this. Some DI sport is usually practicing on this field.

Weinstein Gym: If you can steal a court from the basketball players, you’re good to go. Easier said than done, but it is doable. Not, however, during IM Basketball season.

Millheiser: Saying you can sneak in, not get caught, and not have some mysterious voice in the dark telling you to get out, your still usually playing with one light swinging overhead.

The Hockey Field: If you can play on here, sometimes even when the goals are unlocked, you will be sure to cause a group of girls driving by to take the time and stop, get out of their car, tell you you can’t be on their field, lock up the goals, and drive off.

The Practice Field: Not only are these fields in Never-Never Land, but they are usually, go-figure, being practiced on.

I find it a shame that we have been kicked off or rejected from every possible location to host a game of pick-up soccer simply because we are not a student organization. We are students here, and we do love to play. We probably play more than many groups. And yet, every time is a struggle to find an open part of the field.