The Jorts intramural soccer team began in the Spring of 2014 as a bunch of ragtag misfits who wanted to make intramurals fun again. We were not very good, but we had a lot of fun and as the years have gone by, we have improved. Our fans have been called “Jort Support,” and they have had many cheers. The mascot used to be a black lab named Daisy. Our main tactic is to jump up in the face of the person with the ball and while we are in midair we are to scream as loud as we can. We do this so that by the time we land our competitor is thoroughly confused and we can steal the ball.
Other tactics have included printing out large pictures of the players on the opposing team and wearing them like necklaces to further confuse our opponents. The Jorts have also used whistles, harmonicas, megaphones, balloons, and pouring water on our jorts that we are wearing to prevent opponents from getting close enough to steal the ball because they could not decipher why our pants were wet. We have won a handful of games over the years, but we always win in our hearts. The goal of the team is to bring all sorts of people who do not know each other or regularly interact together to play soccer. This has created all sorts of wonderful friendships, from people who have attended to play soccer for the first time or who scream and hold signs for our loyal “Jort Support.”
I have been the captain of the Jorts since my freshman year at Eastern, when we had briefly picked up the name “Wet Denim.” It has been a great pleasure to see the team come together gleefully year after year. This is the first year that the Jorts have had a coach. Aidan Link, from the men’s soccer team has stepped up and volunteered to teach these old dogs a couple of new tricks. We only lost our first game 8-10, and Coach Aidan believes that we have a lot of potential for this season. As a senior, my hope is that the team continues to flourish and grow long after I graduate this spring. The team and its spirit have been passed along for many moons, and I am grateful for all the new friendships and laughter it has brought.
Eastern University intramural sports are a great way to meet new people. This semester we are offering basketball and volleyball in addition to soccer. I have loved playing for the Jorts and continuing to stay active, especially because I was a three-sport athlete in high school. I blew out my knee during my senior year of high school, which meant that I would never be able to play at the collegiate level. Eastern intramural soccer has allowed me the opportunity to play sports again at a level that was fun and not too demanding on my new knee.
It would be wonderful to hear about the Jorts when I come back to visit years from now. It is a lofty goal, but I know the spirit of the team will live on…
Grace Nealy 
Jason Karch 
Josh Steen