Over 100 students piled into the Rec Center gym for the Bubble Soccer Tournament.
Photo Credit: Therese Sheridan
On Thursday, Sept. 15, Montclair State’s Student Recreation Center held one of its most competitive tournaments of the year — bubble soccer. Those interested in playing piled into the gym and started forming teams. Excitement filled the air as students from around campus came to support their co-workers, friends and peers participating in the sixth biannual Bubble Soccer Tournament.
Bubble soccer is like traditional soccer — the only catch is that players each get an inflatable bubble surrounding the upper half of their bodies. Each of the athletes can bump their bubble against an opponent at any moment, forcing everyone to be alert at all times. The length of the games were ten minutes each. However, the pace of game seemed much faster because everyone was having a great time.
According to Kyle Bianchi, coordinator of Intramurals and Club Sports, the Rec Center has been hosting the tournament once a semester since fall of 2014. Bianchi explained that the event isn’t specifically held for the Rec Center. It could be held for other organizations on campus such as Residence Life or the RecBoard, to name a few.
Bianchi is responsible for all the planning going into an event like this one, along with some help from Rec Center employees and some volunteers. Bianchi’s goal two years ago was to attract students to the Rec Center and give them an event they would enjoy. And 45 RSVPs alone on HawkSync is definitely a good sign.
“I came across this event over YouTube and on the internet. I was already looking for something unique for the Rec Center to host for students,” Bianchi said. “When I found bubble soccer, I thought it looked incredibly fun and entertaining. We wanted something original that other programs didn’t have.”
Over 100 students suited up in their inflatable armor and faced off at this semester’s Bubble Soccer Tournament. “The best part is seeing the hard work all pay off in the end. The Rec Center office’s work is very hard and a lot of it goes unseen. It’s amazing to see this event grow each semester,” Bianchi said. “The best part is seeing the students laugh and participate.”
To keep on pace with the biannual Bubble Soccer Tournament, everyone can expect to face off again next semester. Judging by the looks on the faces of participants at the sixth tournament, the seventh won’t be any less of a great time.
