Inter-Campus sports rivalry strengthens international friendships

Submitted by Dr. Bob Rusbosin, Regional Senior Associate Dean of Students

September 22, 2009

The Regional Office of Student Affairs and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics sponsored an exciting rivalry volleyball match featuring the Hamilton Harriers vs. the Middletown Thunderhawks at 6:00 p.m.  on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 in the Box that Rocks on the Hamilton campus.  Fans from both teams flocked to the Gym and broke attendance records on campus for volleyball with well over 200 people in the bleachers.  Both teams were very competitive and the action was fast and furious.  The Thunderhawks won the match in 4 games. 

Prior to the action, 7 students from the Communication University of China-Nanjing were inducted into the First International Harriers/Thunderhawks Fan Club by Deans Daniel Hall and Jeanne Hey.  Each of the Chinese students received t-shirts and gifts from players on both teams.  There was also a special plaque presented to Coach Darrell Grissom in recognition of the perennial state championship Harriers baseball team (state champs 9 of the past 10 years) along with his role as General Manager of the Hamilton Joes Collegiate Baseball Team. 

There was a pizza party immediately following the match for both teams and for everyone who attended the match.  During the pizza party a Hamilton student  sang an impromptu rap song for the Chinese Fan Club and a very talented grandfather of one of the Thunderhawk volleyball players entertained everyone with some very impressive magic tricks.  Co-sponsors of this event included the Office of International Initiatives, the Hamilton Athletic Club and the Campus Activities Committee.  A fun time was had by all!

View more photos at www.flickr.com/photos/miamihamilton/sets/72157622321218423/

View photos of the Harriers vs. Thunderhawks game at www.flickr.com/photos/24919703@N08/sets/72157622320942909/