UDM Intramural crowns two billiards champions
Brandon Clark
Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: News
When most students think of intramural sports, they probably envision playing soccer, basketball or football.
On last Friday, that stereotype was shattered when UDM Intramural held its first billiards tournament near the Titan Fit Zone.
The almost three-hour event saw 14 competitors, eight competing in the advanced bracket and the other six dueling it out in the beginner bracket.
Though some were driven by the competition, for many the tournament offered a release from their grueling schoolwork.
"This tournament gives some of the students an opportunity to work off some stress from midterms," said Will Dye, coordinator of the tournament. "The tournament gives you a chance to meet new people. Not everyone knows everyone."
The event showcased UDO diversity, with white, black, Indian and Asian students competing.
The formula for this tournament was simply to beat your competitor and move on to the next one.
Students competed until dawn for the honor - and an "I'm Champ, You're Not" T-Shirt designed by Student Life.
In the advanced bracket, Raoul Pinto beat Han Liu after three rounds.
In the beginner bracket, Sujay Bodke defeated Kraunl Putel.
Bodke entered the tournament because of a friend and has only been playing a year.
"I've been playing regularly for half an hour to hone my skills," said Bodke.
It may strike some as odd that what was once one of America's blue-collar pastimes has become popular with students at the University of Detroit Mercy.
But Pinto said he loves playing pool.
"I started playing pool when I came to America," he said. "Back home we have a similar game to pool called snooker. I really enjoy this game because it allows me to release some stress. But really I enjoy the strategy of it and running the table."
On last Friday, that stereotype was shattered when UDM Intramural held its first billiards tournament near the Titan Fit Zone.
The almost three-hour event saw 14 competitors, eight competing in the advanced bracket and the other six dueling it out in the beginner bracket.
Though some were driven by the competition, for many the tournament offered a release from their grueling schoolwork.
"This tournament gives some of the students an opportunity to work off some stress from midterms," said Will Dye, coordinator of the tournament. "The tournament gives you a chance to meet new people. Not everyone knows everyone."
The event showcased UDO diversity, with white, black, Indian and Asian students competing.
The formula for this tournament was simply to beat your competitor and move on to the next one.
Students competed until dawn for the honor - and an "I'm Champ, You're Not" T-Shirt designed by Student Life.
In the advanced bracket, Raoul Pinto beat Han Liu after three rounds.
In the beginner bracket, Sujay Bodke defeated Kraunl Putel.
Bodke entered the tournament because of a friend and has only been playing a year.
"I've been playing regularly for half an hour to hone my skills," said Bodke.
It may strike some as odd that what was once one of America's blue-collar pastimes has become popular with students at the University of Detroit Mercy.
But Pinto said he loves playing pool.
"I started playing pool when I came to America," he said. "Back home we have a similar game to pool called snooker. I really enjoy this game because it allows me to release some stress. But really I enjoy the strategy of it and running the table."
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