Camaraderie through Competition
By Matt VanSandt ('11)
We're spoiled, really. It seems too enjoyable. After six years of fun-spirited rivalry, the O’Malley Cup competition has become engrained in all of us. It is almost a part of our birthright as MSA Bobcats. We know the sports, relish them, and even practice them before game day. Some of our most unforgettable memories from grad school may be from a classmate’s effort, a peer’s winning shot, or the team’s celebration.
Here's the thing, though. Here's what you forget when all you remember are certain plays or the final score: Despite the competition, the camaraderie created during the events is truly something special. That's what makes OU’s rich family atmosphere so incredible.
Coming into the weekend down four games to none with trivia and bowling on tap, the class of 2011 had some ground to make up. Standing in their way though was the class of 2010, a highly talented group with experience on their side. It was hard not to appreciate what the 2nd year class had accomplished thus far with thoughts of perfection surrounding The Cup. As you watched the 2010 class go 4-0, completing the sweep was certainly a distinct possibility. This weekend edition of O’Malley Cup competition certainly provided so many emotions including sheer joy, exhilaration, and pride. But, would disappointment be one?
On Friday night, Packy Moran (’07) hosted the trivia challenge with questions ranging from Olympic sports history to hockey championships to college football statistics. Included with the questions were video highlights, steal-the-bacon rounds, and key expert matchups. Representing the 1st years as “All-Time Experts” were Michael Speight and Ben Jacobs while Sean Phifer and Alex Vitanye spoke for the 2nd year class.
It was a close game throughout with no team taking command until late. The 2nd years controlled the board early and often as the 1st year class strategized their approach. Midway through the contest, it looked as if the 2nd years might remain undefeated. However, the resilient 1st years fought back to eventually take the lead with only one category remaining. Beau Bauer (’11) and Darren Cohen (’10) participated as the college basketball category experts but the points proved to be inconsequential as the Class of 2010 won their first O’Malley Cup event 33-30.
The following night the two teams reconvened for bowling at a local establishment in Athens. Each player rolled two games with the highest class average winning the event. Morgan Staley (’10) set the bar high with back-to-back strikes leading off for the 2nd year class. However, David Carter (’11) bowled a personal best 200 to keep the scoring close after the first game. With the averages coming down to the wire after the second round of games, solid performances from several 1st years were able to offset a score of 185 from Rob Norris (’10). The Class of 2010 won their second event cutting the overall lead to 4-2 but that was certainly not the highlight of the evening.
As the victors threw their hands in the air in jubilation, celebration was quickly subdued as camaraderie between classes took over. You know the feeling, right? People from both teams blended into one. One-time competitors became family again. It is something unique and truly inimitable.
The competition of the O’Malley Cup will always be present. But the friendships that develop from the events will remain stronger. Someone will win flag football, someone will win basketball, and one team will hoist the trophy at year’s end. In Athens though, a family has already started forming while searching for that O’Malley Cup Championship. I for one, am giddy just thinking about it.
