7-8 ), STL 111.\T LIFF. ARMSTRONG By Kaleb Turner Living in a freshman dorm was an exciLing and memorable experience for mosLstudents, buL for 15 freshmen in Armstrong Hall, they took that experience a step further. Armstrong Gang, an intramural sports team, was formed when freshman Collin Smith had the idea to take his freshman experience outside of the dorm. "We all met through doing a bunch of random stuff on third floor- having ·Super Smash Bros.· tournaments, hm1ng a 'fight night' and blaring music up and clown the halls," Smith said. "I created the team sjust so we could all have fun being bad at sports together." Freshman Grant Clemens said the idea was a nobrainer becau e of the fun experiences they had shared together in the dorm. "We just brought it up and everyone wanted to create [a team] ," Clemens said. '·\Ve wanted to have a team full of people [whom] we liked hanging out with.'' Freshman team member Rhett Shepard said since they formed the team before the social club process began, it made it easier to become closer and keep strong connections even alter they all joined different social clubs. "The best thing was having fun "·ith guys I had only known for a few weeks," Shepard said. "\,Ve had no preconceived notions towards anyone and no club affili ation, so we just went out there and had lots of fun. " ccording to Clemens, the team competed in softball. flag football and volleyball over the course of their freshman year. Smith said competiti\'eness on the court and on the field made their losses hard, but their friendship and experiences living together in Armstrong made it easier to mo\'e on. "Pla)'1ng ,,1th the guys we hare the dorm with has been great,'' Smith said. "Us all being friends beforehand made it a lot easier to relax and laugh it off when we [messed] up during the games." For Clemens, the experience of competing together and li\'ing together went beyond surface-b·el, and allowed him to make deep connections beyond the court. '·By playing and living together we share lots of things about each other's lives that creates a stronger bond," Clemens said. "I ha\'e greatly enjoyed creating an amazing bond with the men I get to see and share my lift> with e\'ery clay." Smith agreed and said the spirit of competitiveness fostered an e\·en stronger spirit of friendship in the dorm. "Playing and li\ing together creates a stronger bond for all of us," Smith said. ·'\\'e haw spent more time hanging out with each other and getting to know each other better, which always causes stronger connection to be made between everyone." Freshman Grant Clemens, member of intramural team Armstrong Gang, shows of his team shirt 011 Jan. 16. Armstrong Gang was comprised of 15 freshmen living in Armstrong Hall. I Photo h)' l,a;:,u Fujisau·n
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