BYU-Hawaii has created an environment for people to interact, play and enjoy each other’s cultures through sports. Every Saturday in March and April there are “free play” intramural soccer games for students to enjoy. The soccer field at BYUH is a place where passion for the sport and cultures from around the world mix to create the beauty of soccer. “Soccer sees no race, religion, socioeconomic status and prejudice. Maybe that’s why everyone likes playing together. On the field we’re all equals,” said Ezra Tupou a junior from Australia. Nathan McKinney, the intramural student lead, and junior from California studying hospitality and tourism management, said, “Soccer is a popular sport here on campus. We get a really good mix of people from all over the world who just love the sport.”“Ever since I was little, soccer was one of my favorite things to do,” said Max Hannemann, a sophomore studying business from Oahu. “I come back and play every Saturday because scoring a goal is the best feeling I have felt in sports. And with all the stress of school, it’s good to run around and get out all that energy.” For some, playing soccer on Saturdays helps students from the same country and region to unite and enjoy the sport they love. Tupou said, “It’s like the World Cup. Every four years the world’s countries gather in unison for a sport they love. Without knowing, the implications caused are unity through sport. Every Saturday we have the chance of replicating that same spirit with different cultures. Many students come to play who are from all around the world. They are coming together playing on the same team and building school, community and global cohesion.”Intramural soccer runs Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. to noon. The tournament will start on April 11 at 9 a.m. Check in with the intramural staff to pick up a roster. Uploaded April 2, 2015
Writer: Trenton McCullough
