If you’ve stepped into the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center (HAARC) in the past few weeks, you may have noticed a certain electricity in the air. The Athletics Department and campus have been buzzing about a dynamic new program on campus, Colby Men’s Club Basketball. Born from the hard work of co-founders Ben R. Over `26 and Owen Lars `26, the team has experienced massive growth since its establishment at the end of Jan Plan.
In their inaugural scrimmage against Bates, the Mules fell by a score of 64–54 in a contest plagued by questionable officiating. In one of the grittiest performances ever seen by a Colby athlete, R. Over posted 25 points, 11 assists, and 13 rebounds while dealing with an active case of the norovirus. “I think it’s on par with Jordan’s flu game,” he commented postgame, looking noticeably pale.
Following a recruiting violation by Thomas College, Colby Club Basketball has been allowed to take Thomas’ place in the upcoming NCAA tournament so that the city of Waterville can be represented on the national stage.
“We are bringing a physical style of ball to the tournament,” said Karma Gother `26, defensive coordinator and certified flagrant foul artist. Gother continued, noting that “They’ve really never seen anything like this.”
However, this tournament bid will not be a breeze for the Mules. Transportation is likely to be an issue, as the club’s first-year core has accumulated a total of 38 parking citations for unauthorized use of the Hillside lot. When asked about these alleged disciplinary issues, Lars responded, “We are a scrappy team; if we aren’t aggressive with our parking, we can’t expect to win on game days.”
This scrappy nature is evident when watching the team, which, despite having an egregiously overpriced team store, lacks funding and is forced to play its games in plain, white tank tops. In a way, this simplicity and unity symbolize the team’s mindset, as they have embraced the motto “One Team.”
“To me, it’s really all about the city,” Gother said when asked about the motto. “I know that the fans were so heartbroken about Thomas getting disqualified, so it feels great to give the city something to cheer for.”
In addition to this season’s postseason run, the team looks forward to playing their first complete regular season next winter. In fact, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that some of Colby’s varsity players have entered the transfer portal with intent to join the club team. Though no names were confirmed, it is rumored that the high level of coaching on the club side was a factor in these decisions. Club Basketball is in the process of obtaining a head coach, with candidates including Kendall Kardashian `26, known among basketball fans as “the Coach K of Lower Central Maine.” With prospects like these, the future of the team is bright. Club Basketball is always looking for new talent, so all students are encouraged to reach out to leadership if they are interested in joining.
~ Toilet Destroyer, Leg Opener
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