December 7, 1998 SPORTS & CLUBS Over The Edge Page 9 Plan in Motion for UNBC Rugby West Coast Tour ‘98 (Confirmed Ga secon

by Ryan Greenfield Some people might think that by rearing his ugly face, pushing down the mercury and driving Prince George into another long season, old man winter will force the UNBC Rugby Club into rubbing their eyes and hibernating until spring. Not this year old man... During the cold- est of the winter months, the club is forced to retreat to classrooms and high school gymna- siums to hone their rugby theory and keep physically sharp. But they are also very busy planning their first read- ing break tour of the United States Pacific

Coast. They intend to show those yanks what UNBC students are real- ly made of.

With games already confirmed against uni- versities in California, Oregon, and Washington State, the UNBC Rugby club is now in the process of ironing out transporta- tion and_ fundraising details. They are also in the final stages of clear- ing up other technicali- ties that must be dealt with in order to make the trip an overwhelming SUCCeSS.

To afford this trip with limited school funding, the society has decided

to create a community sponsored passport book. Over 2000 copies will be distributed amongst the local com- munity as well as to peo- ple along the road to California. This will cre- ate great exposure for all businesses purchas- ing advertising space. With this book as well as continued social and fundraising events, the club is hopeful that they will meet the costs for the tour.

The UNBC RFC recently appointed Brett Sailer to director of junior development, this is a temporary appoint- ment until the time of a

Wolf Pack and Proud Of It

By D. Tisseur

Born in the fire of Clinton War of ‘98, the Wolf Pack (the U.N.B.C. Medieval Culture and Combat Club) has become a presence within the UNBC — environment. Competing locally and across the province, members of the Wolf Pack carry the distinc- tion of knowing that they bear the name Wolf Pack by choice and spirit, rather than because someone told them to.

Baptized by blood and bruises, the Wolf Pack

feasted upon the entrails of their enemies while mourning the loss of kin during the rigor of simulated medieval warfare. Sounds...inter- esting, macabre? Allow me to elaborate. The Wolf Pack is an anachronist group reliv- ing the lives and times of the dark ages. (a- nak’re-nis’m 1. the rep- resentation of anything out of its proper histori- cal time). Though each member devises and portrays a specific per-

‘sona, this world is far

from fantasy. Anyone

who has watched our practice has probably realized that it is far from acting out a skit. We scream loudly, and everybody carries a big stick.

Some have compared this sport to that of the martial art Kendo. We, utilizing the power of anachronism, see our- selves more as partici- pants of Hastings, Bannockburn and other historical field battles. When one finds them- selves surrounded by hundreds of armed and armoured combatants,

general meeting. Brett Sailer is responsible for overseeing the expan- sion of rugby in local high schools and ele- mentary schools. This should ensure that the great sport of rugby con- tinues to grow within Prince George and at UNBC.

The club would like to thank everyone for their continued support. Without the good people of UNBC, they would not be where they are today. In return for the people's generosity, the club promises to do the school proud as it tears through the US college system this winter.

it is not difficult to forget the armor is homemade and the weapons are bamboo. Perhaps that is the lure of it all, or perhaps it is the odd sense of joy one feels while their sword col- lapses an opponent's skull. Indeed, this is a contact sport, with all the trappings found in other athletic institu- tions. We engage in a regular practice regime, and are training with a common goal in mind. Tournaments are held by fellow anachronists throughout the world,

Humboldt University-Ar cada,

California

February 23: Oregon State University-Corvallis,

Oregon February 24:

Reed College-Portland, Oregon

ortland-Portland, —

with events in BC occur- ring each month. One such event, the Clinton war, involves hundreds of combatants fighting on open fields, bridge mock ups, and a two story castle. Archers, siege weapons and mass infantry engage in

We scream loudly, and everybody carries a big stick.

a spectacle unlike any other. This event is dwarfed by ones in Pennsylvania and Arizona, where a cast of thousands in employed for the enjoyment of the spectators and _partici- pants alike. There are also tournaments remi- niscent of those held in the palaces of Europe. Unlike the butchery of war, battle on the lists is

a testament to chivalry and skill, while having a high pain tolerance is obviously respected. The Wolf Pack has represented UNBC at 3 such tournaments this semester, and will be in Vancouver this week- end continuing their presence within the Society for Creative Anachronism. Currently the most hunted mem- ber of the pack is Argyll Macmillian, who recent- ly clawed, bit and gouged his way to victo- ry in the club’s inaugural Alpha Wolf tourney., The pack has been seen fighting outside the gym and in the Wintergarden. If you think you are tough, or are maybe just a little strange, feel free to watch. We never hit anyone out of armour and we are always look- ing for new victims, ummm, recruits to train. Don't be afraid, we can smell fear and we like it.

Join the Sports Team!

E-mail fungj000@unbc.ca