Badminton Club Courts High Interest at Tryouts

The East Court at the Center for Recreation and Sports can be
converted to three full-length, competition standard badminton courts.
(Photo by me)

The fall season of the 2013-2014 Adelphi University Badminton Club got underway with four days of tryouts on Thursday, Sept. 12, Friday, Sept. 13, Thursday, Sept. 19 and Friday, Sept. 20. A total of 55 Adelphi students, a group comprised of both returning and new team members, attended tryouts over the four days. Tryouts were held on the East Court at the Center for Recreation and Sports, where the team also conducts all of its practices.

Following sign-ins and introductions, each day of tryouts began with a warmup session. To get the blood flowing, students paired up and rallied together on each court. To conclude each day, the players were split up into groups based on their experience and skill; from there, the students competed in singles and doubles games against others of similar ability level.

Tryouts in particular provided a unique challenge for the team's executive board. The East Court at the Center for Recreation and Sports, the only one with badminton lines painted on the floor, can be divided into three standard size badminton courts. As a result, only four players at most can be on each court at one time. Tryouts were conducted in a timely and organized manner to facilitate as many games as possible. As soon as a game was completed, the next singles or doubles game immediately headed out on the court.

Club president Jenna Cavuto (near left) addresses a
group of new players at tryouts. (Photo by me)

Despite the struggle for space, tryouts proved to be a great success. "I thought tryouts were fun! My favorite part was getting to know the many new people," junior John Medina said. Medina, a psychology major, has been a member of the club for two years. When he arrived at Adelphi, Medina had no prior experience playing badminton. However, over two years, Medina has worked incredibly hard to improve and the results have come for him; last spring, Medina was elevated to the club's tournament squad and competed against Stony Brook University.

With many new faces on the team this year, the outlook on the season is looking bright. "I'm most looking forward to playing other schools with my teammates," Medina concluded.

With the roster now set, the team will begin to move forward with their scheduled practices later this week. Practices are currently scheduled every Thursday from 4-6 pm and Friday from 11 am-1 pm; beginning in October, the team will also hold practices on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm-8 pm.

Adelphi Badminton Club Begins 2013 Season

Typically, people associate badminton with backyard lawns, family barbecues and (perhaps) a few too many brews. Unbeknownst to some, the oft-mocked stepsister in the world of competitive racket sports offers numerous health benefits for players of any age and is one of the most nuanced competitive sports. Following its adoption as an Olympic sport in 1992, badminton has shown the world that its elite competitors are much more serious, athletic and dedicated than Uncle Chip and that there is much more at stake in matches than family bragging rights. At its highest levels, badminton is a test of an athlete's strength, endurance, hand-eye coordination and decision-making.

Although is not an NCAA sanctioned sport, badminton is making waves on college campuses across the nation because of its adaptability and widespread appeal.

Here in Garden City, the Adelphi University Badminton Club is entering its third year of existence this fall, after first being established on campus in the fall of 2011. In this short time, it has grown into one of the largest clubs on campus. The root of the club's appeal? It does not discriminate based on experience. The current roster is a balanced mix of beginner players, who are looking to learn the game for the first time; intermediate players, who have had some experience with the game; and advanced players, who have had competitive experience on high school or club teams. The goal of the club is to foster a love of the sport and physical activity while forming friendships and having fun.

The inaugural Badminton Club team, Fall 2011.
(Photo credit: Jenna Cavuto)

Following its inaugural fall season, the club generated enough student interest and funds to begin traveling to local tournaments and universities to compete. Over the past year, the team has locked horns against New York University, Columbia University, Stony Brook University and Marist College; in addition, the club's executive board has been in contact with the badminton teams at Boston University and the College of William and Mary in an effort to take the team's talents out of state and expand its competitive horizons.

This blog will cover all aspects of the Adelphi Badminton Club for the fall semester; coverage will include photos and videos of team practices, interviews and features profiling the executive board and team members and recaps of any tournaments that the club may be invited to compete in this fall.