Indianapolis, Indiana – After nearly a decade away from the court, field, and track, sports are making a long-awaited comeback at Ivy Tech Indianapolis. Thanks to the initiative and vision of Alexander Banks, assistant director of Student Life, the campus community is once again buzzing with opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage in physical activity and friendly competition. This revival comes in the form of the newly formed Student Coalition for Organized Recreation and Exercise, known as S.C.O.R.E., which promises to bring back the energy, camaraderie, and wellness-focused spirit that defined campus life in the aughts.
The idea for S.C.O.R.E. began shortly after Banks joined Ivy Tech in 2024. Within his first month on campus, he realized the demand for organized sports was high.
“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 both athletics and student administration, Banks teamed up with his Student Life colleagues to brainstorm ways to reintroduce structured recreational activities to the Indianapolis campus. The result was S.C.O.R.E., a coalition that now offers intramural sports, fitness activities, and wellness workshops designed to bring the campus together outside the classroom.
“We heard from students that they wanted more ways to connect outside the classroom,” Banks explained. “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, S.C.O.R.E. offered a perfect opportunity to combine personal wellness goals with student engagement.
“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.
The Indianapolis campus has a rich history of athletics. Trophies and photos from past intramural and competitive teams still adorn the Student Life office, a legacy that Banks draws inspiration from as he builds the program’s future.
“There’s a history here,” Banks 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.”
S.C.O.R.E. is designed to be inclusive, welcoming all students, faculty, and staff regardless of skill level. Participation doesn’t require prior athletic experience; the emphasis is on fun, fitness, and community.
“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 coalition offers a variety of intramural sports including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, dodgeball, and outdoor soccer and football. Indoor activities take place during the colder months, while outdoor sessions are hosted at Tab Recreation, a nearby facility featuring new turf fields and ample space for running, walking, and team sports. Activities are scheduled every Wednesday, complemented by wellness workshops and special events throughout the semester.
For participants, the benefits are as much social and mental as they are physical.
“My favorite activity so far has been playing soccer. I enjoyed the cardio aspect of it,” Sides shared. “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 rapidly, boasting more than 100 members since its official formation over the summer. Weekly events regularly attract 20 to 25 participants, and Student Life has introduced incentives to maintain engagement, such as prizes for students attending multiple events, including tickets to Colts and Pacers games.
Beyond recreation, S.C.O.R.E. fosters skill development in leadership, teamwork, and confidence. Banks intentionally provides participants with small leadership roles, whether it’s keeping score or helping organize an event, emphasizing that leadership can be cultivated through everyday experiences.
“I want students to see that leadership isn’t something you’re born with, it’s a set of skills you can develop,” Banks explained. “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.”
For students like Sides, the program has been transformative for both body and mind.
“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 said. “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 to the future, S.C.O.R.E. aims to grow further and culminate the academic year with a large-scale kickball tournament. Long-term, Banks envisions the coalition serving as a foundation for a revived athletics department, potentially reintroducing competitive basketball and volleyball teams.
“I see S.C.O.R.E. as the foundation for something more. Maybe even the early stages of a future athletics department,” Banks said. “I’d love to see basketball and volleyball teams return someday.”
For now, the focus remains on fostering connection, wellness, and enjoyment — values that made intramural sports a cherished part of Ivy Tech Indianapolis’ past and a promising cornerstone for its future.
“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 schedules, and learn how to participate. With sneakers laced and spirits high, the return of sports at Ivy Tech Indianapolis is creating a vibrant, active, and connected campus once more.
