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SPORTS \ Females reck their chance with the el' leather pumpkin October 28, 2011 By Millie Carter Staff Writer Down, set, hut! It was slightly odd to hear these words on Appenzeller Field uttered not by Guilford College's football team, but from a huddle of female players. It was a brisk night on the turf field, but the large fluorescent stadium lights were not what created heat on the field. It was the heated competition felt between two teams of female football players. While it is a casual match meant to bring spirit to the Guilford campus, this year's powderpuff football team brought its own sparks to the game. Once a year as part of Guilford's Homecoming weekend, students get to reverse the traditional roles as the Guilford community takes to the field for the annual powderpuff game. Students and student-athletes alike teamed together as a part of either the white or crimson team in order to reach the ultimate goal — victory. But what is the driving force behind participation in this game? "I wanted to do something aside from my usual basketball," said sophomore Khenti-Sha lyi, a participant in the game. "I wanted to try something new and meet new people, and I think I succeeded." While participants threw their schoolbooks into their desks to head to the field, a few were hesitant about stepping outside of their normal routines. "At first I was a bit nervous because there were going to be so many athletic girls there," said lyi. "But once I got there it was a different story." As a member of the Guilford women's basketball team, lyi knows what it is like to bond with teammates. And even though this wasn't a basketball game, lyi could feel the community on the turf as well. "Everyone was really nice and just wanted to have a good time," said lyi. "I definitely made a lot of new friends and have a unique relationship with so many new people now." As a part of homecoming tradition at chance to play can come out and have some fun with it and be a part of an awesome tradition." This game was labeled as a community builder between students and student- athletes, addressing the popular topic of the student-athlete divide here at Guilford. "It's not locked down to just one sect Female students from all classes show that football's not just a guy's sport by playing in the Powder puff game during Homecoming 2011 .The white team defeated the red team, 32-13. Guilford, the powderpuff football game seems to have done its job as a prime opportunity to build some Quaker spirit and get people involved. "I think it's a great chance for students to get out and use the awesome facilities we have at Guilford and compete and have fun," said Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Engagement Steve Moran. "Students who wouldn't usually get the of students who can come out and play, it allows for the different groups that may build up during the year a chance to mix and meet friends to break down some of those walls that we create during the school year," said junior Caleb Whited- Ford, student coordinator of intramural sports. Deep into the first semester of the year and in the midst of midterms, exercise is a proven stress-reliever. These students go out to get their game on while making new friends. "A lot of students from different backgrounds come out and play some flag football and have fun," said Moran. Not only did students come out to participate in the twilight game of flag football, spectators fought the chilly night and came out in layers of jackets to support Guilford students and build homecoming spirit. Just who came out to take the role of sideline cheerleaders? These spectators were none other than Guilford's own varsity football team. "Coach wanted us to come out and support the Guilford community," said sophomore Melvin McKeever. But to McKeever, there was more of a nostalgic feeling related to this game than anything. "Thinking about this game makes me think of my high school. We used to play juniors versus seniors so I'm actually excited to see the outcome of this game." The football team came to cheer on the powderpuff teams and observe an exciting game. All of the girls had a blast during the game, resulting in the white team's victory with 32 points. The crimson crew tallied 13 points at the time of the ending whistle. However, the ending score alone didn't begin touch down on the truly communal feeling of the event. "The powderpuff game is a great opportunity to bring a lot of the students from the community to just relax and have some fun on a Thursday night," said Moran. On the dawning of midterm exams, "It's nice to come out and take a break from classes and test prep," said Whited-Ford. "When you look out, most of them are smiling and that I think is sort of the ultimate goal of this game." Athletes sport pink to support breast cancer awareness By Natalie Sutton Staff Writer The month of October brings falling leaves and autumn colors of reds and oranges. Now October brings a new color: pink. It is breast cancer awareness month and for some of the Guilford community, that means wearing pink to show support for those who had or are currently battling breast cancer. Fall athletes in particular make an effort to recognize the cause throughout the month. On the football field, the players wear pink armbands, pink socks, pink shoelaces, and pink wristbands. Senior Captain Bradly Gayhardt thinks participating in breast cancer awareness month is particularly important. "Such a vast majority of people have cancer, yet there are a lot of people who think, 'Well, no one has it in my family' or 'I don't have it' so I think it's important that we get awareness out there," The volleyball team also deems said Gayhardt. it important to contribute to breast Gayhardt, whose aunt is a cancer awareness month, breast cancer survivor, encourages Every October, they host a "dig all of the Guilford community to pink" game in honor of breast get involved with breast cancer cancer awareness month. This awareness month. year, it was on Oct. 4 and the "I just wish everybody would players sold pink Guilford t-shirts participate, even just by doing and accepted donations for the something as simple pink show said as wearing a wristband to support," Gayhardt. "It seems pretty easy." Another senior captain, Christopher Jessup, thinks that being in the spotlight is beneficial in encouraging others to participate in breast awareness month. "People watch athletics get a lot of attention," said Jessup. "So if people are watching us. cancer we defensive specialist, thinks that breast cancer awareness month presents a great opportunity for why not show support for a great people to help out a vital cause, cause like breast cancer at the "I think it's important for same time?" Guilford athletes and students to participate in breast cancer awareness because you never know who is dealing with cancer and it's always a good feeling to know that you helped get one step closer to finding an immediate cure," said Tracy. Having known a volleyball teammate in high school that lost her aunt to cancer, Tracy found breast cancer awareness month to be a light at the end of the tunnel in the tragic situation. "It was very hard for her to get through that, but knowing that we worked to raise money for the cause helped her cause. cope," said Tracy. "She knew that Sophomore Kia Tracy, volleyball we were supporting her." The women's soccer team also values and supports the cause. During their home game on Oct. "It shows that the Guilford community is thinking about all of those who have breast cancer and that we want to show our support." Rachel Harman, senior captain 12, they wore pink warm-up t-shirts in honor of breast cancer awareness. "For Homecoming weekend, we'll be wearing pink socks and hopefully, in the beginning of the game they will announce something about breast cancer awareness," said Senior Captain Rachel Harman in an email interview. "Our team is extremely excited to show our support." Harman hopes that an enthusiasm for breast cancer awareness month will blossom throughout all of the Guilford community, not just within fall athletics. "It would be really great if people who come to the athletic events would wear pink all this month ... it's a simple statement," said Harman. "It shows that the Guilford community is thinking about all of those who have breast cancer and that we want to show our support." Hopefully Harman's hopes will become a reality and pink will be a common color seen throughout our campus for the month of October and beyond.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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