By Daniel Lunchick-Seymour
At the end of "The Karate Kid", after Daniel LaRusso performed that epic crane kick, the defeated bully and antagonist proceeded to present a large, clumsy trophy to an elated LaRusso, acknowledging defeat and conveying respect.
What would have happened if LaRusso didn't receive his trophy?
Well, the cinematic value of the scene and the movie probably wouldn't change much, deeper imbedded is the principle of the trophy.
Did the trophy have anything to do with the social shift?
Of course not. But it was a symbol, dammit.
For intramurals, the trophy-symbol used to be a t-shirt.
Every year, the University of Portland community fields intramural games in which students compete in both competitive and recreational environments for the right to become the intramural champions of their respective sport.
And to the victor belong the spoils: pride, bragging rights and, now, the mysterious lack of the coveted championship t-shirt.
That's right, as of this year, there will be no intramural championship shirt. No trophy in which a student can fashionably broadcast his or her title.
When you win, you get a trophy as a reminder to everyone that you are awesome. These are the rules.
But the harsh reality which now faces the future intramural champions is that the traditional shirt, one which distinguishes the wearer as a craftsman of intramural athletic prowess, will no longer be rewarded.
In past years, ASUP allocated money to The Department of Recreational Services which paid for the t-shirts, a sum of about $2,500.
This year, ASUP only allocated around $500. And according to Brian Dezzani, director of Recreational Services, the amount of money it would take Recreational Services foot the rest of the bill is untenable.
"We have to face the reality that we can't spend that money," Dezzani said, explaining that other aspects of the Rec. Services budget would suffer if the t-shirts were to be made.
There were arguments by senators for both sides of the issue, and, in the end, ASUP decided not to give as much money as it had in past years.
"It would be nice to offer (the t-shirt)," Dezzani said. "I think the students really appreciate it and it would be a shame for us to lose it. It's possible ASUP will award it in the next budget cycle in the winter and we're kinda hoping for that."
Although Dezzani wishes the t-shirts were feasible for this year, he understands the difficulty with funding and is still very grateful to ASUP, which gives money to Recreational Services for a variety of student activities such as the ski bus and outdoor pursuits.
At a University where a new engineering building and dorms cost millions of dollars, why quibble over a couple thousand?
The economy is suffering, sure. ASUP has a limited budget, true. But why did the t-shirts have to go? I for one, am irate.
I don't pretend to know the nuances of ASUP funding or how tight the budget is. I am certain that whatever the budget went to instead was deserving (yeah, right. Because ASUP has never screwed up their budget before). But what kind of world doesn't give champions a piece of apparel to brag with?
When a person steps on to an athletic arena and puts it all out there, they deserve their trophy.
The shirt itself is a constant reminder that you owned fools and kicked ass; like carrying a portable stereo which would blare Queen's power ballad, "We are the Champions," except slightly less obnoxious and in the form of a t-shirt.
Well UP community, if you find idea of a world without the intramural t-shirt abhorrible, you are not without recourse. Write into ASUP, and convey your disappointment. Get our shirts back.
Aaron O'Connell is the Sports Editor of The Beacon.
He can be contacted at
oconnell11@up.edu
