Are intramural sports a big deal at the Naval Academy?

I'm an athlete looking into applying to the Naval Academy, and I'm curious about their intramural sports scene. How does it compare to other colleges? Is participating in intramurals a common thing there?

Intramural sports are indeed a significant part of life at the United States Naval Academy. All midshipmen, as students are referred to at the Naval Academy, are required to participate in physical activity each semester, whether that’s through varsity athletics, club sports, or intramurals.

In terms of its intramural sports program, the Academy offers a wide variety of sports, ranging from traditional team sports such as soccer, basketball, and flag football, to individual-oriented sports like rock climbing and racquetball. This variety ensures that there are options available for everyone, which makes intramural sports highly popular among the student body.

Also, due to the Academy's rigorous physical standards for all midshipmen and the emphasis on teamwork in its curriculum, their intramural sports scene is generally more intense and competitive than those at many other colleges. Participation and enthusiasm are high and teams from differing companies and academic years often compete fiercely against each other, bringing that camaraderie and competitive spirit into their everyday life on campus.

That said, while some treat it as a serious competition, others see it more as a way to have fun, build friendships, and de-stress from the rigorous Academy workload. So, it can be as serious or as casual as you make it. Either way, intramural sports are definitely a significant aspect of the Academy's culture.