Futbol club kicking high at BBC

Jacob Salzman / Contributing writer

Futbol is one of the most popular sports in the world. No, not the traditional American football we are used to. But the futbol the rest of the world plays, what Americans know as soccer.

That popularity has seeped into the Biscayne Bay Campus. In spring 2010, Maria N. Reynaga and Maria S. Reynaga, founded the Futbol Club.

At the time the club was formed, BBC didn’t have an array of sports clubs to choose from. For the most part, people played pick-up games of basketball, tennis, and American football.

Students wanted to use the usually vacant fields by Bay Vista Housing. After getting approval from the Student Organizations Council, the Futbol Club was created.

The club has two big and two small goals, different colored bibs, cleats, and shin guards. These items are usually paid for by the SOC or by fundraisers. On Sept. 29, the Futbol Club held a futbol tournament fundraiser to help pay for all their equipment.

The Futbol Club is also planning a big Color War event later this year.

“The purpose of the Color War  is a way for students to know we are not only about soccer, but are about other stuff as well. This is a way to introduce students who normally wouldn’t be interested [in] futbol to our club,” Maria N. said.

The club usually meets every Friday from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. They meet on the recreation field next to Bay Vista Housing.

There are occasions where the club will play indoors. In July, the club met indoors and played there as opposed to facing the blistering sun. While the club is comprised of mostly guys, the club encourages girls to play as well.

Recently, some of the equipment was stolen; this included eight soccer balls, 20 cones used to set up boundaries in the game and two small goal posts. The club quickly tried to get some of their assets together and get some new equipment.

Their funding, as was the funding of most other clubs, was cut. Currently, the club is deciding if they should enact membership fees. Maria N. believes that this will not affect the turnout, which averages twenty people each game. Members are gladly willing to support the club.

The field itself is also worn out as it is uneven with parts that stand out. Although this makes the members more prone to danger, there have been no major accidents in the past two years and the club has a first aid kit on standby. The Futbol club is currently trying to get the University to create a more even field to play soccer.

The club also wants to create a healthy community for soccer players, promote camaraderie and make friends, create more University spirit and have a good time.  Members in the club look out for each other.

“If someone was to get hurt or an emergency came up, everyone would stop the game and try to help out one another,” Maria S. said.

Maria N. emphasizes that there are people in the club who will help teach how to play and will be patient.

Erick Vargus, a junior and sports fitness major, came into the club with virtually no knowledge of how to play at all. In fact, the only reason he joined was because he saw a big gathering one day and wanted to see what the excitement was about.

After Vargus continued to play, he became better with the help of his supporting members.

“Players will motivate you, and teach you. It is a good place to meet friends. Don’t worry about not being that good, you will get better. Futbol is always positive.”