Cedar Rapids club offers sport and socializing

CEDAR RAPIDS - A new group offering social and recreational activities has formed in Cedar Rapids.

Brian Irlmeier, 30, started the Cedar Rapids Sport and Social Club after running a kickball league last summer for Everplay Sport and Social Club. However, the owner of Everplay was from out of state and decided to end operations in Cedar Rapids.

'I saw a need for this kind of thing,” Irlmeier said. 'Everyone had a blast and wanted to keep it going, so I started my own company.”

Irlmeier said the club is a different way to meet people.

'And our club is for all athletic abilities,” he said. 'We don't take the score too seriously. We emphasize recreational play.”

Irlmeier, who is a designer of promotional products and awards at Stoney Creek, said initial plans for the Cedar Rapids Sport and Social Club include kickball, dodgeball and bags leagues, as well as an annual beer run.

'Throughout the year I'll be doing social events and promotions, bar crawls and special events,” Irlmeier said. 'Down the road I want to add co-ed flag football.”

Typically, social events, such as bike rides and events at bars, will be free, Irlmeier said.

'Leagues have a fee but it's all inclusive,” Irlmeier said. Dodgeball, for example, which begins Jan. 20 and goes for six weeks at the Jane Boyd Community House, will be $39 per person.

'We had so much response for the Thursday night league, it filled out in two weeks,” Irlmeier said, so he added a Wednesday night league as well.

Irlmeier said there still are some spots open for the dodgeball league, and the registration deadline is Jan. 5. He asked that anyone interested in the league email him at brian@CRsportandsocial.com

Jerseys Downtown is sponsoring the dodgeball league, and providing a $500 gift card for the league champions, who also will win a trophy. After each dodgeball match, league members will be invited to Jerseys for some bar games, sponsored by Fleck Sales/Coors Light, Irlmeier said.

'We get to talk to each other and socialize. It's something I haven't really seen in Cedar Rapids,” he said. 'Hopefully we keep growing here.”

Nicole Roth said she is planning to take part in the dodgeball league.

'It can be hard to meet new people outside of work,” Roth said in an email. 'I've already met several new friends through the Cedar Rapids Sport and Social Club and am excited to meet more during the dodgeball season.”

Dodgeball also will be a great activity to break up winter, Roth said.

'I've heard a lot of people my age (mid-twenties) complain how long winter is here and how there's not much to do here when it's cold out,” she wrote.

Lyndee Fuessley also said she is taking part in the dodgeball league and hopes to take part in more events as well.

'I think it's a great way for people to branch out and make new friends, there's something for everybody,” she said in an email. 'It keeps people active and creates a connectedness within the community.”