When it comes to intramural sports, SDSU has a lot to offer.

Just about every sport is offered here­ &- from football to soccer to billiards. So you want to play a sport here? You’re wondering what you need to get started? Just a bunch of friends, some hobo dough, and a fun/appropriate name.

The head of the intramural staff appreciates names that are creative but reasonably clean. Anything from pop culture references to college jokes. If you want though, you can have a name as simple as “team A” or “team 1″.

When looking at intramural basketball, I found some creative team names that made us want to find out more about what inspired people to choose the team name they did. The following four names were chosen for their ingenuity or creativity.

Wal-Mart Creatures

Team Creator: Caleb Ahrenstorff

“We used this as a team name in high school. We also found a website that had this as its domain name and thought it was pretty funny.” This name is very relevant to SDSU students who spend a lot of time at Wal-Mart due to the lack of shopping options we have in Brookings.

Ball Like Wall

Team Creator: Jordan Serck

“The name came from rookie sensation guard John Wall from the Washington Wizards.” This name comes at a good time. All in thanks to Troop 41 and their song “Do the John Wall” which has created a dance craze that has recently caught on.

Beefcakes R’ US

Team Creator: Kyle Chase

“We have a few farmers on our team and we are also big guys. So the name just kind of came to us naturally.” Being in South Dakota, beef is a word that fits way too well. This is a nice creative turn on Toys R’ Us.

Destrucktosmash

Team Creator: Bennett Medeck

“Because it’s original and not original at the same time. Like naming a team the destroyers or the smashers. So instead of that I just rammed the two words together. BAM! Original name!” Creative, and original are correct for this one. It helps to make up words. That way they can stand out to the public.

With some pop culture influence and a creative thought process, these names have emerged. Overall, it’s great to see how creative the students of SDSU can be.

Unmatched, unstoppable and undefeated are all words that can define the SDSU Jacks women’s club hockey team.

Unlike most athletes, the Jacks don’t receive scholarships, because they are a club team. They take time and money out of their own pockets to play the sport they love.

Their efforts have been proven impressive by there 9-0 record and their number two ranking in the West Region, only behind Rainy River Community College. The region’s top three teams will make the national tournament at season’s end in Kalamazoo, Mich. The final ranking will come out Feb. 16.

But where is this success coming from?

“There are a couple of reasons for our early success, we have a very solid core of defense-men, along with our three goalies that have some of the best statistics in the country,” said coach Heath Isaacson. “We’re an extremely fast team this year. Most importantly, however, is that this team gels well off the ice.

“Many of the players are in the same campus groups, have classes together, and just spend a lot of time together off the ice,” he said.

The Jackrabbits are not only solid defensively, but they know how to score – and in bunches. SDSU is averaging nine goals per game for the season and has out-scored opponents, 81-17.

Isaacson said that a well-rounded attack has been important to the Jackrabbits’ hot start.

“Every player has had a standout performance for us in at least one game this season,” Isaacson said. “We are a team full of leaders this year … leaders on the ice, off the ice, emotional leaders and spiritual leaders. As a coach, that is what I want.”

The Jacks finish off the semester with two road games against University of Minnesota-Duluth this weekend. SDSU will have six home games after the break, including series against North Dakota State and Iowa State. With their success in past years, they have been drawing higher caliber of players to come play.

“I, along with the team, would like to thank all of our fans for coming out,” he said. “We have seen larger crowds for our home games and hope that will continue next semester, especially when we take on NDSU on both Jan. 22 and 23.

“Playing in front of a nice crowd always give’s the ladies on the team extra motivation, Isaacson said. “Thank you.”