Student vs. Faculty/Staff Basketball Game Returns After 14 Year Hiatus
Ever wanted to see your professors, Rabbis or your favorite staff member shoot hoops or run laps around the gym? Well, you finally have your chance. On March 31st at 8 PM the Office of Student Life (OSL) will be hosting a student vs. faculty basketball game that is sure to attract students from around campus. For the first time since 2002, faculty and Rebbeim from Yeshiva College, Sy Syms School of Business and the Undergraduate Torah Studies program, along with staff from the President’s Office, Admissions, Food Services, Facilities, Security, University Housing and Student Life will give everything they have to beat the student team in a game that is sure to make YU Basketball history.
Every year the OSL plans many exciting and diverse events – the addition this year of the basketball game is the return of a success from years ago. Working with the Director of Athletics, Joe Bednarsh, Linda Stone, Assistant Director of Student Life came across a poster from when this event was last run in ’02. Bednarsh explained how fun and successful the event was back then, and a decision was made to bring it back.
“We want to ignite school spirit on the Wilf campus and we believe that this event will be compelling and appealing enough to unite the student body.” said Stone. Along with Stanton Fellow, Malka Sigal, Stone and her colleagues in OSL have worked to assure that this will be one of the best events of the year. There have been several promotions for the game, including a promo video made to get the student body excited for the return of this event.
To choose which students would be playing in this year’s big game, students signed up for a lottery sent through a ystud. According to Akiva Lautman (YC, ’18), “it was completely random, which I think is a really good thing because everyone was given an equal shot at playing.” Moreover, Lautman said that “I am most excited to play against my Rebbe, I think the game is going to be a blast!”
The players on the student team differ in age, year in college, morning program, major, and more. The major theme of this event is about bringing together the entire student body. Stone said that “it is going to be a competitive, fun game, but it is more about the spirit of friendship and unity.”
This night is sure to be one to remember. Be sure to be one of the first 250 students in the MSAC Gym to receive your free T-shirt! In addition, although details have not yet been revealed to The Commentator, there is going to be a fantastic half-time show. Stone explained that she “likes the challenge of bringing something new to campus each year,” and this year OSL is sure not to disappoint! So mark your calendars, and make sure to bring your school spirit to cheer on your team!
