Sports make a comeback at Ivy Tech Indianapolis

After nearly a decade away from the court, field, and track, intramural sports are making their long-awaited return to Ivy Tech Indianapolis. Thanks to the passion and initiative of Alexander Banks, assistant director of Student Life, the campus community is once again buzzing with the opportunity to get active through the newly formed Student Coalition for Organized Recreation and Exercise (S.C.O.R.E.).

S.C.O.R.E. was created to reignite the spirit of friendly competition, fitness, and camaraderie that once defined campus life at Ivy Tech Indy in the aughts. Banks said the idea began shortly after he started at Ivy Tech in 2024, when he noticed a significant gap in student activity offerings.

“Within my first month here, I had eight or ten students ask if we had soccer, basketball, or football,” Banks said. “That’s when I realized there was a real need for opportunities to connect, get active, and just have fun.”

With a background in athletics and administration, Banks teamed up with his Student Life colleagues to brainstorm ways to reintroduce organized recreation to the Indianapolis campus. The result was S.C.O.R.E., a coalition that offers intramural sports, fitness activities, and wellness workshops that bring students, faculty, and staff together outside the classroom.

“We heard from students that they wanted more ways to connect outside the classroom,” Banks said. “S.C.O.R.E.’s swift success has been the proof we needed that there was a real hunger for organized recreation.”

For students like Tyeisha Sides, the coalition was a perfect fit. 

“I was interested in student engagement and had been improving my health and wellness activities, then I came across S.C.O.R.E.. After conversing with Alex, I knew I would be able to execute both interests,” Sides said.

This initiative isn’t Ivy Tech Indianapolis’ first brush with athletics. In fact, the campus once fielded competitive teams, with trophies and photos still proudly displayed in the Student Life office. Banks, who once managed the Garfield Park facility where Ivy Tech’s basketball team practiced, said the campus’s athletic legacy helped inspire his vision for the future.

“There’s a history here,” he said. “We still have the trophies, and we’re proud of that. S.C.O.R.E. is a way to honor that legacy while building something new that’s inclusive, accessible, and focused on wellness.”

The coalition is open to everyone — students, faculty, and staff — regardless of skill level. Participants don’t need to be seasoned athletes; the emphasis is on having fun, being active, and connecting with others.

“We really lean into the idea that this is just for fun,” Banks said. “You don’t have to be a sports expert to join us. It’s about exercising, engaging, and feeling better. And if we’re lucky, looking better too!”

The current intramural schedule includes basketball, volleyball, pickleball, dodgeball, and outdoor soccer and football. Indoor activities take place during colder months, while outdoor sessions are held at Tab Recreation, a nearby facility featuring new turf fields and space for running, walking, and team sports. Activities are hosted every Wednesday, with special workshops and wellness events sprinkled throughout the semester.

For participants, the benefits are clear. 

“My favorite activity so far has been playing soccer. I enjoyed the cardio aspect of it,” shared Sides. “I have never played before, therefore, it was a good learning experience. It stands out because that’s what S.C.O.R.E. is about: sports, student engagement, health & wellness. It can be fun or you could learn something new. But most importantly it’s fun and a space for students to relax, connect with each other and stay healthy while earning your degree.”

S.C.O.R.E. has already grown to more than 100 members since officially forming over the summer. Events regularly draw 20 to 25 participants, and Student Life has even added incentives to keep engagement high. Students who attend multiple events can earn prizes, such as tickets to Colts and Pacers games. 

Beyond recreation, S.C.O.R.E. is designed to help students develop soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and confidence. Banks intentionally creates opportunities for participants to step into small leadership roles, whether it’s keeping score or helping organize an event.

“I want students to see that leadership isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a set of skills you can develop,” he said. “Even something small, like learning how to run a clock or plan an activity, can build confidence that carries over long after they leave Ivy Tech.”

Well-being is a key outcome for Sides.

 “Physically S.C.O.R.E. has impacted my well-being by allowing students like myself the space to exercise and continue working on our health,” Sides explained. “It helps mentally and is a way to release tension or stress. Lastly, you’ll be able to meet and connect with other classmates or students.”

Looking ahead, S.C.O.R.E.’s short-term goal is to grow engagement, culminating in a large-scale kickball tournament at the end of the academic year. Long-term, Banks envisions something even bigger.

“I see S.C.O.R.E. as the foundation for something more. Maybe even the early stages of a future athletics department,” he explained. “I’d love to see basketball and volleyball teams return someday.”

For now, the focus remains on connection, wellness, and fun. All of the same values that made intramural sports such a cherished part of Ivy Tech Indy’s past.

“This is more than just games,” Banks said. “It’s about building a stronger, healthier, and more connected Ivy Tech community.”

Students, faculty, and staff interested in joining S.C.O.R.E. can visit IvyLife to sign up for events, view the full schedule, and learn how to get involved. Grab a friend, lace up your sneakers, and get ready to play!