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Michigan Tech Lode Thursday, September 24, 2009
Feature
The Lode has selected two candidates to endorse for Homecoming Court. Endorsed candidates were selected based on campus involvement and individual character.
te a d i d Can n e e Qu Keara Scott
Vote at: homecoming.mtu.edu Voting ends Friday at 4pm
Joe Gallo
King Cand idate
Other Queen Candidates Jennifer Fuller Delta Sigma Phi Natalie Minott Sigma Tau Gamma Danielle Linna Delta Zeta Cari Steinman Alpha Sigma Tau Beth Geerer Phi Kappa Tau Nicole Stemen Alpha Gamma Delta
Other King Candidates Chad Girard Mama’s Boys Justin Bonneville Delta Phi Epsilon
Sponsoring Organization: First Year Experience Major: Biomedical Engineering Year: 4th GPA: 3.66 Age: 21 Hometown: Richmond, MI
Sponsoring Organization: MTU Women’s Soccer Club Major: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Year: 3rd GPA: 3.34 Age: 20 Hometown: Marquette, MI
Extracurriculars
Extracurriculars Resident Assistant for FYE (2008-Present, named Housing and Residential Life Staff Member of the Year), Habitat for Humanity President, Orientation Team Leader (2007), Undergraduate Research in Biomaterials (2009-Present), Representative in Wadsworth Hall Student Association, St. Albert the Great Parishioner (2006-Present)
Sigma Tau Gamma National Fraternity (VP of Membership), Orientation Team Leader (Fall 2009), Housing and Residential Life Office Intern (Summer 2009 - Present), Resident Assistant (Fall and Spring 2008-2009), LeaderShape (On-Site Coordinator - Spring 2009, Attendee - Spring 2009), Make a Difference Day Project Manager (Spring 2009), Undergraduate Inter-Fraternity Institute (Summer 2008), WHSA Representative, Inter-Fraternity Council Representative (Spring 2008-Fall 2009), Disco-Tech, Ridge Roamers Climbing Club, Intramural Sports
Austin Merkel Sigma Phi Epsilon Lukas Morse Asphodel Fields Aaron Tetzloff Alpha Xi Zeta David Smeenge Leadership Learning Community Kyle Hanson Sexy Guys Club Michael Misson The Attic Corey Cousino Theta Chi Epsilon
Behind the game: Frisbockey a Michigan Tech tradition JACK AMMERMAN Lode Writer Houghton, Mich is a unique place. Countless “must-sees” are among the lists of scenic views, historic areas and places found only in the Keweenaw. Thousands visit every year to take part in activities that are not available anywhere else in the world. One of these activities (mostly unheard of but growing larger each year) is called Frisbockey. Available at only one campus in the world, Michigan Tech of course, Frisbockey is a relatively new but already a famous Husky tradition. Frisbockey came to life in 2002 when a few Tech students wanted to play a game after a Broomball match but only had a frisbee. Michigan Tech ingenuity soon had them out on the Broomball court attempting to hurl the disc into a net. In 2004 the Inter-Residence Hall Council (IRHC) decided to make Frisbockey official, unfortunately only one team registered that first year. By 2007 though, 32 teams were throwing the disc and now, in 2009, a record of 56 teams are active during the fall season. I, myself, referee Frisbockey and play on a team. One day while walking up to the Student Development Complex (SDC) my mother called. I casually mentioned Frisbockey and her response was complete confusion. So for those of you who have not seen the posters across campus, Frisbockey’s slogan is “Ultimate Frisbee with a Tech Touch!” With six players on the field at a time, teams try to work their way to the opposing goal and launch a frisbee into a hockey net. Basically Ultimate Frisbee with Hockey nets, hence the name Frisbockey. A game consists of two 15 minutes halves with a five minute halftime. IRHC allows open substitutions during the game and teams may consist of up to 12 players. In the past, games have taken place on the Walker lawn but this year all the games are being played up at the SDC. If you have never experienced a game of Frisbockey before, check out the IRHC website for the game schedule and go watch for awhile. Before long you will want to pick up a frisbee and send it floating through the air too! The first time I threw a frisbee was during my orientation week here at Tech. It wobbled and arced away from my friend and fell to the ground thirty feet away. He, on the other hand, made it seem
like an effortless task, floating the frisbee directly to me, which I subsequently failed to catch. I resigned myself to the knowledge that I would never get a grasp on the sport. Luckily I kept trying and I can now at least hold my own. I joined a Frisbockey team to have fun with my friends and to get outside a bit more. Once I started asking, though, it seems students have joined Frisbockey teams for a variety of reasons, the main reason being, like me, just to have fun. Many teams formed for just that, to play without worrying about the score and to spend time with friends. Students relish the chance to get away from the ever present looming promise of homework so they can run around and play. Another common trend I have found with Frisbockey players is that they enjoy the chance to meet new people. Teams may contain players from every residence hall and even off-campus. Players are given the chance to make new connections on the field, whereas otherwise they would have never met. Others though head to the games with a more competitive mindset. Frisbockey has single elimination play-offs later in the season, starting with sixteen teams and ending with one champion. The competition is tough with teams full of hardcore, experienced players. Right now play-offs are in the near future and players are testing their limits with each team trying to gain a coveted spot in the playoffs. This goal gives students a chance to participate in healthy competition. Regardless if a team is playing for smiles or playing to win, Frisbockey demands teamwork and coordination in order to pass the disc, let alone score a goal. Even if a team does not have separate practices from the games, every time a team gets together to work on their skills they develop as a team. A successful goal or a long pass draws the team closer together with smiles and cheers. Frisbockey gives everyone a chance to form stronger friendships with one another. One great thing about Frisbockey, which we all remember from our early days of T-ball, is that when the final whistle blows both teams converge on the field to shake hands and say good game. Good Sportsmanship is ever present among Tech Frisbockey teams, which is a compliment to the University and the students who attend it. Jake Emerick, an Alumni of Michigan Tech, ran Frisbockey
in its first 4 years in which time he was also an IRHC president. Among his favorite memories of the sport included the fans, especially “Team Chuck Norris, an FYE team. They would bring fans covered in body paint and had team cheers.” To him 20-30 extra voices on the sideline really made the game exciting. Another highlight in the game was infamous “Team Canada, who would wear dresses to the game and would try to drag the nets around the field or play on each other’s shoulders.” As a referee I have not witnessed such extravagant efforts on the field yet, but I am looking forward to it during the play-offs. I urge everyone to head up to the SDC and cheer their favorite team on. New students coming to Michigan Tech have most likely run into an Alumni who will not let them go until they are regaled with old Broomball stories. Even my neighbor (who is far older than I) made me listen as he explained the ins and outs of the sport before I left for campus. Frisbockey has only been around for 6 years, but it is already proving to be as much part of the Husky identity as Broomball. With 56 teams competing Frisbockey has obviously captivated the hearts and minds of students. Only time is needed for Alumni (maybe those of us graduating soon) for Frisbockey to be a hot topic that first-years absolutely must learn about, immediately after Broomball of course. I along with many other Huskies, look forward to the Fall Play-offs and the continued growth of Frisbockey in years to come.
en Wittbrodt Photos by B