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When the leaves on the trees start to change from green to orange to yellow to brown, it means one thing: It’s football season. As the NFL is heading into midseason, the Olivet intramural flag football season is just starting to take off. This year was different than previous seasons, though, as changes and more participation were thrown into the mix.

“Flag football is probably our most popular sport” said Matt Smith, head of campus recreation. “I was shocked with the lack of participation last year.”

But this year is different, with over 500 students participating on over 40 different teams that have creative and zany names including The Uburbuban Dwubellubers, Make 100 UP Yours, and Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Men.

The biggest news this flag football season was the addition of night games, where games are played under the lights at Fortin Villa.

“Once the time changes, it feels like you go to your three o’clock class, and when you get out, it’s pitch black, dark outside,” Smith said. “In the past we would have games at four and five o’clock and would struggle to get those five o’clock games done.”

So the best solution to the problem was to rent the same lights that are used for the intramural volleyball games. Not only does the use of these lights make students able to play games at night, but it also gives students a feeling that only night games can provide.

“I really like it because I haven’t played under the lights since high school and it really brings back memories,” senior Dustin Briggs said. “It also is the best thing added to flag football since I’ve been here because refs don’t hurry the game to get it in before dark. Now we can enjoy the games more.”

The addition of lights have made a big impact on the students who play at night, giving students with late afternoon classes a better chance at participating. The lights also provide job opportunities to students who want to work as a referee in the evenings.

Sophomore Amanda Mazzaro is new to the game and has seen many benefits from being able to play.

“I learned a lot and our team really bonded.” Mazzaro said.

When asked about her team’s performance this year, Mazzaro said, “We won one game ... and two others by forfeit.”

Intramurals are an important part of campus life at Olivet; whether it’s soccer, basketball or softball, it seems students are eager to play the sports that they love. Flag football is no exception, as students are able to build their own teams and try to get a victory.