 "Photo: Photo by Adonis Angeles")
Three days after the official closing ceremony for the 2010 games in Vancouver, student, faculty and staff gathered in the Ybor City campus plaza to celebrate their own version of the ancient games. Chilly and overcast weather on Wednesday, March 3, didn’t stop the Hawks when it came to the fun, food, music and competitions.
Soon, it became clear that the first competitor for everyone was the weather. Justin Aleman, juvenile justice student, wasn’t discouraged. “It’s really cold, but other than that, it’s fun,” he said after winning his beach ball volleyball tournament with his fellow teammate. “It was great to see teams having fun with each other while competing in what felt like the Winter Olympics at times,” said Katen Amin, business instructor, and one of the day's primary organizers. Before sharp winds sent the score board crashing to the ground with a bang, criminal justice major Vivian Gonzalez smiled and said, “It could be worse.”
The Incredibles took first place with 52 points and SouthShore Storm placed second with 49 points. The Ybor SGA Victorians barely squeaked out third place after what primary organizer Katen Amin described as “a Pie-Eating-Tie- Breaking-Eat-Off with the Legal Assault.”
No matter where a team placed though there were some creative team names, such as DECA-licious, Crime Crushers, Team Dredd, and the Takedowns. They competed against each other in creative games like Neck Relay, Water Balloon Toss, Putt-Putt, Pong, and more. Participants had the chance to earn trophies if they won and also gift cards if they placed. Those comfortable standing on the sidelines were able to enter raffles that were held throughout the day; prizes included shirts, hats, umbrellas, flash drives, MP3 players and more.
“I heard there’s a pie eating contest and something about spinning on a bat,” said Vivian Gonzalez, Crime Crusher team member. When asked what events she would be taking part in, Gonzalez laughed as she said, “definitely not the pie eating, I don’t like pie.”
The Dizzy Bat Race and Beach Ball Volleyball in particular were real crowd-pleasers, in addition to the pie eating contest, which drew a large audience as contestants took a seat in front of the pies and beside mini trash bins…just in case. They dug in deep, each attempting to be the first to finish the whole baked apple pie covered in whipped cream.
Mouths smeared with cream and fists full of fruit and crust, each competitor took a double look at the emergency trash cans lined up by the table. It wasn’t the prettiest sight, but nonetheless supporting friends and teammates stood close cheering them on until the end.
Though the events took place for only four hours, most could imagine the preparation that was involved. Ask anyone who’s ever planned an event for more than 10 people, and most likely that person would agree that it takes much effort and organization. HCC’s second annual Olympics was no exception. Behind the ping-pong table, pies and volleyball net, there were faculty members who assisted in the planning, refereeing, lining up teams and more, including Terry Varvil, a mathematics instructor and volunteer for the games. Varvil said that he wanted to be a part of getting all of the campuses together to compete and have a good time.
Despite the weather, both students and faculty appeared to enjoy getting to know one another in a friendly, fun-filled environment. “Congratulations to all the teams and especially to The Incredibles," said Amin. "This event truly lived up to its vision.”
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