Fraternity Dodgeball Tournament Strenghtens Brotherhood /
Photo by Alex Young
"Why would I ever join a fraternity?" This question is asked often among GDIs, "God Damn Independents" or people not in Greek Life, and is greeted with a myriad of reasons that support joining the fraternal organizations by their members. Among the philanthropic and social explanations, none is convincing enough to reverse the ostracism Greek Life causes, except when brothers mention the athletic activities. I am among the GDI population and did not understand the benefit of joining a fraternity until I visited an InTheRough staffer's frat house for their annual dodgeball tournament.
I entered the house's basement to find 20 brothers with a bunch of colorful, rubber playground balls tossing them against the wall or at each other to warm their arms. A basement which once had beer pong tables, chairs and couches was now empty and taped off to create a playing field. The white walls, part-hexagonal shape and concrete floor made the room look like a rink, the brothers sitting on the countertops and lining the walls were the audience banging on the glass.
Photo by Alex Young
Each team had two members who could use a total of three balls to get the other team out. Games began with one ball on each side and one in the middle teams could retrieve once play started. Round Robin competition kicked off the night, as each team got acclimated to the environment. Teammates strategized when to take their kill shots and timing on their throws, most people were eliminated trying to reach the free ball, one step too quickly or too close and pang there is a ball to the leg. If a foot crossed over the taped lines the player was shamefully out.
I participated in striking my opponents out and cheering wildly when the particularly athletic brothers were thrown out by the kids more interested in protecting the environment or who threw a ball like they were doing the breaststroke. They would turn and look at my host, also screaming cheers, and myself proud to deliver in a trying, competitive moment. Anytime the games broke down to one-on-one, especially in the tournament's elimination round, yells of comradery filled the room and when somebody made that clutch play everybody rushed the floor to celebrate with the victors.
Losing even came with a surprising pleasant feel. I remember I was caught in a one-on-one situation in the first round of elimination. I dodged my opponent's attempt to get me out, but the ball I threw in return sailed on me and he caught it, I was out and my team spectated for the rest of the night. The guy who caught my ball clenched his fists and screamed until he was red in the face, I ran towards him and we chest bumped each other in his moment of triumph.
The tournament MVP, appropriately named Harley after the workhorse motorcycle, wowed onlookers as he dodged ball after ball and seemed to get everybody out without ever leaving the game himself. While his team won the championship he was not met without a challenge. One player, who appeared irrelevant, caught Harley's rocket at the last second on his shoulder, mimicking one of the pretty boys who also caught the MVP out. Each time anybody's competitive spirit was met with adversity or failure they responded in an overwhelmingly supportive manner to the entire group. After all it was just a game.
I left the dodgeball tournament with the smiles and praises passed around the basement that night. I appreciated that the brothers relished in each other's companionship and rivalry, in that house they put their differences to the side and interacted on a common ground that included everybody and strengthened bonds.
Chance The Rapper featuring Saba - Angels /
Chance The Rapper's soulful, positive and formidable style is back. With a sound similar to "Juke Juke" and "Juice," Chance entertains us with a new song titled, "Angels". The track was announced and performed live last night on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert featuring Saba, Lido, Peter Cottontale, Nate Fox and Donnie Trumpet for The Social Experiment. On Colbert, Chance dropped a tidbit of information to radio station Hot 97 that he was making music with the comedian and host that will drop "soon." For now, enjoy "Angels" by Chance The Rapper below and download it for free on iTunes.
The Illustrators of Sports Lore /
The following sets of images are iconic sports photographs and their photographers in honor of Rich Clarkson becoming the first photographer to be honored with a lifetime media award by any of the four major sports halls of fame, and all other revered photographers who helped illustrate sports history.
Rich Clarkson's portrait of Wilt Chamberlain, 1956
Neil Leifer's photograph of Muhammed Ali triumphantly standing over Sonny Liston, 1965
Robert Beck's capture of Brandi Chastain moments after her World Cup clinching penalty kick, 1999
Fernando Medina crystallized Michael Jordan's final shot of his career, 1998 (check the :06.6s remaining on the clock...appropriate)
The Catch by John Storey, 1982 (49ers vs. Cowboys, NFC Championship Game)
Heinz Kluetmeier,1980 "...DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES? YES!"
"I know so many photographers that are as intelligent and astute at understanding what they’re doing and what their picture is saying as some really fine writers."
- Rich Clarkson
Watch Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé Perform "Feeling Myself" at Tidal Concert /
To celebrate 1 million subscribers Jay Z and Tidal threw a star-studded charity concert at New York's Barclays Center Tuesday Night.
Among the highlights of the "Tidal X: 10/20 Amplified by HTC" concert included performances from Jay himself, Usher, Nick Jonas, Rick Ross, Fabolous and more. Exclusive performances to the event were collaborations that celebrated unity through music; of note was Nicki Minaj and Beyoncé's "Feeling Myself". The special version included new breakdowns to amplify the song. Halfway through the performance the beginning of Travi$ Scott's banger, "Antidote," mixed with Nicki and Bey's track, then things got rousing. Barclays Center this past Tuesday was a once-in-a-lifetime even with just this number by the powerful women.
Watch the "Feeling Myself" performance below and clap for the $1 million in proceeds going to charities dedicated to advancing positive community relations and effecting systemic change for the development and sustainability of just societies.