For the first time, people of the Hilltop will finally have the opportunity to attend a football game on campus. However, this particular game will have a twist.
Among the homecoming festivities this year, Bradley will host its first flag football game on Alumni Quad Oct. 18 at 5:30 p.m.
Well-known staff, faculty and students will compete against one another in this seven-on-seven match.
ACBU Activities Coordinator Erika Kubik said there was talk about different ways to increase faculty involvement in Homecoming, as it was one of the biggest things that had been lacking in the past.
“They aren’t always given an opportunity to work with students outside of the classroom, so we [ACBU] wanted to do something a little more fun with it,” Kubik said. “When brainstorming for homecoming, everything just kept coming back to football, since we don’t have it here. This is the easiest way to bring it back.”
Due to liability issues, however, flag football was chosen instead of actual football.
There will be about 15 participants per team to allow for substitutes and a combined total of 30 players.
When choosing players, Kubik said she wanted to get well-known faculty members from different departments so that everyone was represented.
“We looked at the departments, and thought initially of who would want to actually play,” she said. “With students we took the same route, and looked at Greek life, ARA’s, athletes and other students who have shown leadership and experience on campus.”
Sports Communication Professor Josh Dickhaus will be one of the participants in the game.
“It should be a fun event that promotes positive interaction between students and professors,” he said.
Kubik said there are plans to unveil each of the players on Facebook this week, with a little biography of each player.
A sign-up sheet for students was opposed, as too many would want to play and it would be difficult to choose, she said.
“We figured when planning it, we’d start this year with picking students who are well-represented across campus, not only good students academically, but really passionate and involved at Bradley,” she said. “This will pull a larger audience.”
Lines will be drawn on Alumni Quad, and the proximity will allow for greater student attendance.
“That’s one of the things too, we were trying to talk about making events closer for students,” Kubik said.
Whether or not this event will become a tradition depends on the success of the event.
“I would like this to be a tradition, but we have to see how it plays out, since it is a new thing,” she said.
Students are encouraged to come, as there will be other chances to participate in games that will be played during halftime.
“They might not have been able to play in the football game, but they can still get involved and have a good time,” she said. “It’s going to be fun.”
