AWER Turkey Bowl: graduate students humbled

INTENSE ACTION: The grad students and faculty mix it up at the Turkey Bowl. / Photo by Karen Wolfe

By Shauna Leavitt

November 16, 2005 | Faculty from the aquatic, watershed and earth resources department humbled their graduate students in a 5-3 win during their annual Turkey Bowl football game Sunday.

This is the first faculty victory since the tradition began four years ago.

The cool, drizzly day dampened the soccer field but not the spirits.

"The graduate students started out quite daunting, but the faculty responded by adjusting their offense and defense plays -- this won the game," said Gary Theide, a research associate from AWER.

"Matt Baker [the faculty coach] took our geriatric faculty to a win," said Phaedra Budy, assistant unit leader for the fish & wildlife research unit.

Baker, assistant professor at AWER, explained why the faculty had an advantage: "We had some focused practices. . . . Our players developed their skills in different positions. . . . They had long-term dedication."

Even with the extensive preparation, there were moments when the faculty wondered if they could pull ahead.

Todd Crowl, an AWER professor, dropped a pass "when he was wide open for a big gain," said Chris Luecke, AWER department head.

The unending stamina of the faculty won the game.

Sarah Carothers, an AWER research assistant, was elected most valuable player of the faculty team. "She never dropped the ball and was an incredible receiver," said Budy.

Baker provided words of encouragement to the students: "It is like a friend of mine once said: Some days you win, some days you lose, and some days it rains. . . . Think about that."

Some students were left speculating if the faculty had prepared for this game long before their practices.

"One wonders if the faculty keeps the grad students extra busy in the fall to decrease our physical fitness," said Kris Homel, AWER graduate student.

"Despite [the faculty's] annual cheating, we all look forward to this game, as it brings us all out on the same field. It's really fun, and we get to take out some frustration on our committees," said Robert Al-Chokhachy, AWER graduate student.

Baker provided one final warning to the students: "[The faculty] team is full of potential. They can only get better . . . The graduate students had better look out."

Putting the winning score aside, the event was held to foster camaraderie within the department, said Luecke

Budy added, "We gather in the spirit of friendly competition."

After the game, participants met in the department head's cozy home to rest their muscles and enjoy a Thanksgiving potluck dinner.

The turkeys were purchased and prepared by faculty members.

Faculty coach Matt Baker. / Photo by Chris Luecke

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