FIU-BBC Futbol (Soccer) Club Profile

Photo by Alexandra Mosquera Netzkarsch

 

By Justin Hill / Contributing Writer
“Soccer is something that I grew up with and will always do for the rest of my life,” said Henrry Zelaya, senior and former president of the BBC Futbol Club.

Futbol has been in high demand at the FIU Biscayne Bay Campus. Which is why former student Maria Reynaga established FIU’s BBC Futbol Club in 2010. Reynaga’s main objective was to share the passion that she has for Futbol with the FIU community.

Steven James, who took the position of staff advisor for the club in 2012, has high hopes for the club.
“Since the club started, every semester we have grown,” said James “we’re more than just a club, we look to get involved in the community as well.”

The club holds various events throughout the semester. They’ve been involved with the universities intramural leagues where members and current players of the universities Futbol team have come out to compete. They have also held tournaments and events.

“Our street ball tournament is a very exciting event, we had a great turnout,” James said.
Throughout past semesters the club hosted a virtual tournament. They played games like FIFA, the popular video game is played in the BBC game room.

“Watch parties” of FIFA matches are held on both campuses, where food and drinks are provided.

“It gives students the opportunity to catch up on the games,” said James.

“Despite the matches being held in different time zones, the organization still finds a way to please spectators.”

The BBC Futbol Club has been recognized throughout the years for their dedication and hard work. The club in their short lifespan has been the winner of three favored awards between 2010 and 2013.

One of them was the award for Most Dedicated Club in 2011-2012. Honoring the club’s commitment to the university, club members and the progression of the club.

Despite the recognition, there are still mishaps that have hindered the club’s performance.

“Our biggest hurdle is our field,” said James, “since we do share a field with Alonzo Mourning Senior High School and other athletics clubs on campus, the field is always in need of renovation.”

James and former staff advisers of BBC Futbol Club have reached out to the Student Government Association on campus to resolve the issue. Dirt patches and holes scattered around the field, have been a big eye sore for the organization.

“It is a fairly old field,” said James, “It hinders us on occasions from playing. Students’ safety is a first for us,” said James.

In addition to the field issues, the club also faces difficulty with advertising the club. The BBC Futbol Club gets involved and host tabling events on campus, with hopes of getting more members to join.

“We’re going to life broadcast the Women’s Worldcup this summer as well as the Cup America,” said Zelaya.

Zelaya has a different approach to marketing their club.

“Word of mouth,” said Zelaya, “that’s the way we like to get information out about the club, it’s the way we’ve always done it.”

With the club currently in their regrouping phase, it is looking to expand its horizons. The events will remain the same, but the magnitude of them will be greater.

“We have a lot of things in the works with the club, it’s going to be an exciting year for us,” said James.

For the time being, the Futbol Club will continue to meet every Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on their familiar home turf behind the Glenn Hubert Library next to the tennis courts.

Club members welcome any new comers wanting to join the club. Both genders, faculty and student body are welcome to jump on-board!

For more information contact Steven James at (305) 919-4287 or stejames@fiu.edu.

 

 

 

 

Alexandra Mosquera Netzkarsch contributed to this report.

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