Photos by Arden Feldman
Intramural sports are an integral part of many people’s experience at Colorado College. Playing on a team can serve as a social outlet, a stress reliever, or simply as a way to get a workout. Among CC’s intramural offerings is ice broomball, played in Honnen Rink with brooms, balls, and no skates.
However, there’s more to broomball than meets the eye. Although most visible and recognizable on college campuses, broomball has an extensive competitive international network and a history that dates back nearly a century.
Although the origins of where and how broomball began are somewhat foggy, the general consensus among broomball historians is that it was started by streetcar workers in Canada who took corn brooms, cut and taped the ends, and played with a small soccer ball. That was in the early 1900s. From there, broomball spread throughout Canada, and eventually made its way into the United States. The sport gained particular popularity in Minnesota. The state now houses USA Broomball, the official governing body of broomball in the United States.
The game itself is similar to hockey in a lot of ways. Five players plus a goalie make up a team; hockey gloves, helmets, and shin guards are all worn by players. The actual “broom” itself is a rubber-molded paddle on the end of a wood or aluminum shaft. Rules like icing, off-sides, and various penalties that originated in hockey all carry over to broomball as well. At CC, a hockey goal is utilized as the broomball goal, but in professional leagues the goal is slightly taller.
So, what’s the appeal of broomball here at CC? Freshman Gabe Suszynski sees it as an informal way to stay in shape and have fun at the same time.
“It’s a way to stay active on campus without committing to working out or something like that,” said Suszynski. “Or playing a real varsity sport.”
Broomball can be tiring depending on how much you elect to run up and down the ice. Trying to gain traction on ice in athletic shoes adds another level of difficulty that isn’t present in most other intramural sports. “You can go backwards and forwards but it’s almost impossible to go side to side,” Suszynski said.
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Despite its almost silly nature, broomball can get competitive. Exerting even an average amount of effort while trying to run around on ice will cause anyone to break a sweat by the end of the game.
“I played varsity sports in high school and it’s a nice way to keep that team mentality without being on a varsity team,” said Suszynski.
Intramural sports are also an ideal setting to build relationships within a group. Sophomore RA Kuba Chandler recognizes broomball’s relaxed nature and utilizes it as an effort to bring his hall closer together.
“I think that if everyone’s having fun and goofing around and being active it can create pretty strong bonds between people that take part in IM’s,” said Chandler. “It’s so goofy, you’re just running around on ice and people slip and fall and everyone’s having a good time. It’s so light-hearted…there’s not much skill involved and anyone can do it which is awesome.”
Broomball’s unique characteristics position it as one of CC’s most enjoyable intramural sports. The level of competition is up to the player or team. With the amount of sliding and falling that takes place in an average game, it’s hard not to get a kick out of it with your friends. As Suszynski puts it: “I really don’t care whether we’re winning or losing, it’s just a good time.”