Sparing weather draws students to Woodlawn Field for night games

It is 10:15 on a Wednesday night. Some students might be cramming for exams at the library, others slamming 15 cent drafts at the Bluebird. \nHowever, after the sun goes down, the 64 degree temperature gives students incentive to linger outdoors winstead of in the bars or at their books, enjoying athletic opportunities. \nAt night, the large, lit Woodlawn Field is packed with games of ultimate Frisbee, students improving their soccer skills, and football players practicing for next year's season. \nThe weather improvement, along with registration for IU's recreational sports, has caused an increase in use of the Woodlawn Field. \n"We come here about three times a week," said junior Kyle Hensley. "It's a good place to practice because it's lit and they have field goals."\nHensley is a member of the Kinky Wizards, a division-one, co-ed recreational soccer team. He and his squad were practicing Wednesday night at the field for their first game at 3 p.m. today. \nIU's RecSports offers more than 20 intramural sports throughout the year. Spring Soccer registration ended March 2, and there are two co-ed divisions, two men's divisions, two fraternity divisions, one women's division and one sorority division. \nThe Kinky Wizards' first game was rained out, so they were using time at the field to improve before their first real showing.\n"Technically, our first game is Friday," Hensley said. "Our experienced players are trying to teach the people who haven't played." \nThe Wizards are a combination of age levels and skills. Like many others at the field at night, the Wizards use the field as an outlet to grow, improve and enjoy themselves.\n"I made them do it for fun, but it wasn't forced," said Sarah Welder, freshman and Kinky Wizard's captain. "It's fun and we're getting better." \nYet not everything is all fun and games. Some are at the field to hopefully make an impact in IU's varsity athletics. Markeith Young, a freshman from Kokomo, Ind., is practicing at Woodlawn Field with some of Coach Hep's players in hopes of making the team next year. He's hoping to play under Memorial Stadium's lights in the fall -- as of now, he's taking advantage of the lights at Woodlawn Field.\n"The lights help out a lot," Young said. "It's the only place we can come at night."\nYoung also said the weather conditions have made it easier and more pleasant to practice outside. \n"The weather is not so hot, so it's a good chance to get a workout in," Young said. \nWhether students are involved in recreational sports or just trying to get a good workout in with friends, they find that the Woodlawn Field is a perfect place for nightly exercise. \n-- Contact Staff Writer Kristin Fruehauf at kfruehau@indiana.edu.