Photo by Andrea Waters Sophomore Chris Casey jumps to block a spike from freshman Michael Graves during a club volleyball game. After the regular volleyball season, clubs of various sizes played against each other in a "potluck" tournament. Keeping her eye on the ball, junior Zeta Rho member Shelby Kempf prepares to swing her bat in a club softball game. The fields were a popular social gathering spot during softball season. Senior King's Men member Josh Kasinger shakes off his opponent and heads downfield for a touchdown. King's Men was this year's small club A-team football champion. - ---• I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Competition builds bonds among clubs Participating in club sports at Harding doubled as an exciting social event. While battling to win the trophy, social clubs created a unity and bond between them. "Club sports are great way to meet people and make new friends," senior Gamma Sigma Phi member Joe Merillat said. "I love the challenge and the excitement." During the fall semester, men and women's social clubs participated in a variety of sports, including softball, flag football and volleyball. Jessica Moore, director of women's intramurals, said she believes the best part of her job is to see relationships form between ladies. "Relationships are something we are fostering and trying to produce," Moore said. "Not just relationships within the club, but also between the clubs." It is a tradition in club sports for the teams to gather after a game and pray. "That's just the most amazing thing," Moore said. Jim Gowen, director of men's intramurals, said he looks forward to the exciting seasons. "This has been an exciting year with competition as keen as ever," Gowen said. "The university continues to improve our facilities, and involvement by the students continues to grow." Club sports helped the members by providing friendships and entertainment. They also helped create many memories. "Club sports are an easy way to make fools out of yourselves and have a great time doing it," senior Jim Marcussen, a member of Chi Sigma Alpha, said. "I pledged this year, and I'm very excited to start playing sports with my new sisters," junior Chi Omega Pi member Lisbeth Pinto said. Playing club sports was more than just athletics; it was about unity, friendships, memories and laughs. "Club sports are a great way to get to know and spend time with other members and to help get the new freshmen involved right away," Ko Jo Kai junior Courtney Fant said. sports 233
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