The day is finally here and we’re so excited that we can practically smell the turf, feel the excitement and hear the tastefully curated country music playlist that signifies Lilly’s on aux. Maybe that’s because we are, actually, smelling the turf, listening to “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton and watching an exciting game unfold before our eyes on Olson Field as we write this article. As we have reiterated over and over in this column, the grind does not stop.
The beginning of Block 2 means that it’s finally soccer, volleyball and flag football season here at CC. These three sports tend to have some of the highest participation. This year is no exception with 17 volleyball teams, 16 soccer teams (holy perfect bracket number) and a tasteful 15 flag football teams.
“I’ve gotta say volleyball I was pretty disappointed though,” said Chris Starr, director of recreation and fitness services. “We didn’t get a ‘How I Set Your Mother.’ First time in years. That’s like not getting a ‘Mother Pucker’ for hockey.” As we talked with Starr, we used the opportunity to get our grimy little fingers on the team rosters and see what we are up against this season.
Some of our favorite new names included “Doucheflags,” and “Shot o Clock.” We always welcome the sight of some familiar names, or at least some semblance of them. “Bunda Diggers,” first semester junior year got you down? Make sure to tell your friends abroad to mix in a water in Copenhagen so they aren’t a complete embarrassment when they return for Block 5 futsal.
As for you newbies out there, all the sports this block will be round robin style into a double elimination tournament Block 3. There will be two different groups for soccer and volleyball where you will play everyone in your group and be seeded accordingly. So with this in mind, take the next few weeks to get your sea legs under you before you start benching your best friends and telling your therapist how you lost to another kid in your priddy group. It’s clear that even the upperclassmen are rusty. “They’re chanting butter feet, Peter, come on!” screamed a player on the “Bunda Diggers” just a moment ago.
Some further words of advice, Starr says: “Don’t be intimidated.” We are all here for love of the game, despite what a few yellow cards have to say about that.
If you missed our last edition, in Block 1, there are no intramurals other than the sand volleyball Second Saturday series. If you happened to be in attendance, like us, it was an active afternoon under the bright Colorado sun. “We had the most number of teams we’ve had yet to date,” said Assistant Director of the Fitness Center, Andy Obringer. We all missed IMs.
An upperclassman team with loads of volleyball experience and height, “Hit Happens,” took away the much-coveted first shirt of the year. While all congratulations to them, it’s no matter, it seems like everyone else was more focused on the grill anyway.
“We ran out of hot dogs. Still have a pack of vegan dogs if anyone wants them,” joked Obringer.
And with that, we must end our article and start warming up for some games of our own. Lilly Henderson and Anya Potsiadlo are out of hibernation and here to officially welcome you back and wish you luck if you face the unfortunate fate of playing us in any sport this block.