Intramural Spotlight: Hannah Maciejewski

For Grand Haven senior Hannah Maciejewski, preparing for graduation is only one important part of her final year at Central Michigan University.

The other? Intramural sports.

Over the past three years, Maciejewski has played on a CoRec soccer team, #SWAG, also known as Suddenly Whales Are Gone, as well playing for her first CoRec flag football team.

“I have played soccer ever since I was little and I knew I wanted to continue doing that in any way possible here,” Maciejewski said. “My friends and I got together freshmen year to start an (intramural) team and have been playing ever since.”

While her roots are in soccer, flag football was something Maciejewski took up as a way to connect with friends.

“I’m going out with a bang this year by trying all sorts of IM sports with my friends,” Maciejewski said. “Flag football is just fun – we don’t take it very seriously just because none of us really know how to play.”

Maciejewski said while she puts on her game face for every sport she plays, her intramural experiences have always just been about friendly competition.

“It’s just a fun way to stay active with the sports you used to play in high school and the ones you’ve always wanted to try,” she said. “It’s a great way to get outside and have fun with your friends while still having a bit of competition in your life.”

Maciejewski doesn’t only limit herself to one soccer season – she likes both outdoor and indoor for different reasons. To her, outdoor feels more like authentic soccer, whereas indoor soccer brings a thrill from its fast-paced environment.

“In the last indoor soccer season, we were in the quarter finals playing against a very competitive team,” Maciejewski said. “The score was close the entire game and with a minute left we were down by one not knowing what was going to happen.”

As the time ticked away on the scoreboard, Macienjewski knew this was her moment – and she scored with seconds to spare.

“I was so excited that I was able to do that for my team because I knew how much all of us wanted that moment,” she said.

California senior and teammate, Lance Jarvis, had nothing but kind words to say about Maciejewski.

“I have played on Hannah’s team for the past three years and it has been a joy to play with her,” Jarvis said. “She takes any criticism – good or bad – and makes the most out of it. Having her on my team has made my experience with IM soccer both enjoyable and fun. She has always been a good teammate and even a better friend.”