Free T-shirts, PowerAde, and a chance for some football. The UI Division of Recreational Services sure knows how to entice newcomers to join intramurals.

The Kickoff Classic held in Hubbard Park on Tuesday showcased a variety of games and free goodies for students to relish. Along with a booth where students could find information about all things Recreational Services, there were other games for students to play, including bags, golf, and basketball.

“[The Kickoff Classic] gives us a presence on [the east] side of campus by the IMU,” said Mike Widen, an associate director of Recreational Services, who also noted that last year’s event did not generate much attendance because of the closing of the IMU, which was damaged by last year’s floodwaters.

Widen said this year’s classic likely generated more attendance because of the building’s reopening, which translated into increased foot traffic near Hubbard Park and increased interest in the day’s main event — a punt, pass, and kick competition.

Many students tried their hands — and feet — at the contest, where competitors tried to gain the most aggregate distance among their punts, passes, and kicks. However, participants were docked for not keeping the ball on a straight line while it was in the air.

All registered UI students were eligible to try, which meant freshmen, as well as graduate students, took turns at propelling the inflated pigskin as far as possible.

Brian Fleshner, 25, a UI dental graduate student, competed in his scrubs on his way home from work. Fleshner said he always played intramurals as an undergraduate at the university, calling them “a great break for the day.”

A wide variety of novice football players found their way to Hubbard as well, taking off their sandals to workout barefoot and even kick a few balls Lou-Groza style with a literal toe blow.

There were also many students who exuded an amazing amount of confidence before getting ready to go. Some went as far as stretching and donning cleats prior to partaking.

One kicker even lined up with a three-steps back, two-steps right-drop back like Iowa junior kicker Daniel Murray before his famous game-winning boot against Penn State.

Not all lived up to their expectations, though. Senior Tyler Johnston said, “Having kicked in high school, I should have done better.”

But while not everyone in the contest had played intramurals before, the majority of people polled after their punt, pass, and kick efforts said they were interested in signing up.

Registration deadlines for flag football are Aug. 31 from 1 to 5 p.m. Sign-ups pick up again the next day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the Recreational Services’ website, last year saw more than 225 teams participate in flag football, and with the awareness built by this year’s Kickoff Classic, officials hope there are even more this time around.

Although the final day’s punt, pass, and kick results will not be posted publicly until today, senior Matt Gowan, who played football and soccer in high school, unofficially led the men’s competition, while 25-year-old graduate student Michele Cano, who was one of three female participants, stood out for the women.

“I usually do co-rec because it’s hard to get a team of all women together,” Cano said. “Especially in graduate school.”