A Different Kind Of Pickup

LYNNE MEREDITH COHN

Scene Editor

R

emember those long college
Sundays, when the leaves
were changing and a couple
of guys headed out to the
field behind the dorm to throw around
a football? Before long, there were six,
then eight, then 12 guys chasing after a
ball for hours in the autumn sun.
Seems like a long time ago. Sports
in college were a way to pass the time,
a way to compete and hone our skills.
Sports after college are entirely differ-
ent games.
Now, young adults in their 20s and
30s wake up early on Sunday morn-
ings to play pickup football or softball
on high school fields. They join gyms
and leagues, take classes to learn a new
sport. Sports in the 20s and 30s serve
as a social outlet as much as they offer
an exercise option and an avenue to
let off steam after a tense work week.
And, we don't play for hours and
hours anymore because we either have

5/22
1998

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Post-college sports can provide a
social outlet or enthusiastic exercise,
with local leagues,
health clubs and spontaneous
softball games to choose from.

spouses to return to or, well, OK,
we're not invulnerable like we were in
college; we're losing a little steam.
But that doesn't have to mean that
post-college sports are boring, staid or
something for your parents to do. In
fact, more parents in middle age, and
even some grandparents today are
working out with weights, personal
trainers or regularly speed-walking for
exercise. The message is that you can
live a longer, healthier life, if you'll
only sweat a little.

"In college, it's such a great time in
your life because you're surrounded by
thousands of people your own age,
similar interests and activities you can
do together," says Aaron Pergament, a
businessman and part-time therapist.
"However, in the workforce a lot of
people go their own way. It's almost
like [sports allow you to] revisit your
earlier days. Most of the teams I know
stay together for a long time because
they get to be friends, go out, have
barbecues afterwards."

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On Sunday mornings, Aaron plays
in a football league with "a bunch of
Jewish guys," mainly at local high
school fields. The teammates play in
tournaments and travel Up North to
compete. "It's good for friendships,"
says Aaron. "The people who play
together, stay together."
For Karen Safran, sports play a dif-
ferent role.
"I think I'm like most people our
age, just need the excuse to get off our
rear ends," says Karen, who is an
attorney. "It depends on the season.
Softball is a lot of fun, and because
my talent is not there, I look at it as
much more social. I'm a huge fan.
Right now I'm loving the hockey sea-
son."
Karen heard once that "there are
three categories [of people] who work-
out":
1. Those who workout for the
social aspect, to be with other people,
meet people. ("Personally, I think the
gym is either the worst place or the
best place" to meet people she says.