Lakeshore club takes aim at students looking for some cheap therapy

Scott Rennie
Sports Reporter

Once a week at Lakeshore Campus, it’s perfectly acceptable to throw a ball with the intent of hitting a fellow student.

Every Tuesday night, the Humber Dodgeball Club takes over the gym at the Athletic Centre.

The games, which run between 9:30 and 11:00 p.m., began three years ago as an activity for students living in residence.  

Today the group is recognized as an official club by the Humber Students Federation.

Dalton O’Brien attends every week and said part of the appeal is the limited athletic ability required of the participants.

“There are only three elements: dodging, catching and throwing,” said the second-year comedy student.
“You could be the biggest nerd ever, but be the best and kill the kids who made fun of you in high school.”

Michael Lasiuk, the club’s president, said he sees a consistent turnout of 60 to 70 students, many of whom show up wearing arm and knee pads.

“A third of them don’t even live in residence, they just love it so much,” said the second-year police foundations student.

Club vice-president Jason Copeland said that nostalgia is another one of the reasons for the club’s popularity.
“One of the things I always hear is ‘Oh my god, I haven’t played dodgeball in forever. I used to love playing this as a kid.’”

The game’s simplicity is also a draw, Copeland said.

“The rules are so basic,” said the business administration student. “Anyone can play it.”

The club has made a convert out of Kathryn Hill.

“I’d never played dodgeball before,” said the first-year acting student, “now I play every week.”

Hill is one of the many women who show up every week.

Dodgeball outsiders also shouldn’t discount the sport’s therapeutic value, Copeland said.

“Everyone has fun and lets out all the aggression that gets built up sitting in school and doing work,” he said . “It’s a good release.”