The term intramural comes from the Latin intra (within) and murus (wall). In a collegiate setting, intramural usually refers to a formally organized program of activities, games, and sports designed to meet the needs of the entire college community. Campus intramural and recreational programs normally provide an opportunity for voluntary participation and/or competition among members of the same institution, and also for occasional competition between intramural groups at other institutions. Because participation is voluntary and open to all, intramural activities allow all students to experience the positive outcomes normally reserved for varsity athletes.

The intramural motto reads, "An activity for everyone and everyone in an activity" (Hyatt, p. 10), and the main purpose is student enjoyment. Intramural programs exist simply because students enjoy the activities and want them to continue. While there is no other necessary justification for the existence of intramural programs, there are many varied benefits, which have led to the secondary goal of providing educational experiences through physical activity. Several objectives related to this goal are:

• Physical development - personal fitness programs can help produce happier, healthier individuals
• Mental development - many sports provide stress relief and require and enhance quick decision-making, interpretation, and concentration
• Social development - being part of a team requires and fosters teamwork, cooperation, and sportsmanship
• Skill development - intramural activities provide an opportunity to refine specific physical skills, an opportunity that may not have been available previously
• Leisure-time development - these activities encourage a positive choice for filling free time, which may carry over to healthful life decisions