In the search for an exciting, new offering for students, University of Delaware (UD) Campus Recreation held its first-ever bubble soccer tournament earlier this fall. With 44 total participating teams signed up through IMLeagues, the event was a hit for the department.
Lauren Dudziak, the associate director of Programs and Partnerships, said the idea for the event began once Campus Recreation was presented with the opportunity to co-host a bubble soccer tournament with partners in the Division of Student Life’s University Student Centers who oversee the university’s recognized student organizations.
“Our ‘why’ within UD Campus Recreation is to provide our students with the most integrated wellness experience possible through our partnerships on campus,” said Dudziak. “Specifically, the UD Programming Board, a student-operated group within Student Life, wanted to offer a fun, free sport-like event to the student body to open the semester. What better event than bubble soccer?”
Bubble Soccer Details and Benefits
The tournament took place on Sunday, September 24. The event was originally supposed to be held on the Frazer Intramural Fields. However, it was quickly moved indoors due to rain. Mirza Javed, the assistant director of Intramural Sports, said the tournament featured co-rec, men’s and women’s teams with each squad consisting of four players.
“Each team had the opportunity to play two 10-minute games and league standings were based on win/loss record and goal differential,” said Javed. “Courts and goals were marked with cones, games were played with futsal balls and bubbles were from a third-party vendor.”
Approximately 44 teams registered on IMLeagues with 21 being co-rec, 19 men’s and four
women’s. Javed said students had a great time even with the event pivoting indoors. In fact, he said many requested to do a similar tournament in the Spring 2024 semester.
“It was a new and unique intramural for students to try on campus, so we had already anticipated a lot of great reactions and feedback,” added Dudziak. “There are so many benefits to offering creative events such as bubble soccer, canoe battleship, a pickleball league and cricket — all of which we also offered this fall. These events can bring in students who might not participate in our traditional offerings. With our students’ well-being as our top priority, we want to connect with as many as possible throughout their four years here.”
Top Takeaways and Tips
Dudziak said there was no financial commitment or skill requirement on students for the tournament. The time commitment was minimal as well.
“Campus Recreation does not function without the students,” said Dudziak. “What do the students want? What will they show up for? How long will they show up? These are the questions we need to continue to ask. What ran successful one semester may not be successful the next semester. Bubble soccer is a great example, as this idea was presented to us from a student-ran organization on campus.”
Also, UD Campus Recreation continues to send out participant surveys to gain perspective from student staff which benefits the department’s programming. Dudziak said putting a spin on more traditional offerings is also something they consider to keep programming fresh. Specifically, they offered a homecoming cornhole tournament under the lights in the center of campus, glow-in-the-dark flag football, extreme dodgeball, goalball and bocce.
“Lastly, promotion is key,” said Dudziak. “At UD, we have a group of students known as our Campus Recreation Ambassador Team who run our social media platforms and marketing efforts. They play a crucial role in promotion and adding value to our programming. Ultimately, put in the effort, do the research and try to create something incredible for the students. They deserve it. Not everything will hit the mark. But when things are successful, everyone benefits.”
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