Strategy was the name of the game Saturday night as students from seven faculties took a break from homework to play a gigantic game of Capture the Faculty.
In the event’s third year running, the PhysEd team won the campus-wide version of capture the flag, reclaiming their title after being defeated by the Nursing Science Society last year.
AMS Campus Activities Commissioner Louis Plamondon, who started the event in 2003 while ComSoc president, said the game is meant to get students to socialize with other faculties after Orientation Week.
In addition to the $1,000 prize for the winning faculty, proceeds from the event’s registration fees were donated to a multiple sclerosis charity.
Capture the Faculty is an alcohol-free event in which faculty teams divide campus into faculty territories and attempt to capture other faculties’ flags while protecting their own. AMS Charity Ball committee volunteered as event organizers and ran the registration tables.
Using a website created for this year’s game, more than 1,000 students signed up in advance, almost seven times the 150 students who participated in the inaugural game. Before the game, CESA President Rob Kempson squatted in a ring with 25 of his peers and rallied the team.
“Last year our strategy was ‘lie, cheat, steal,’” Kempson said. “This time it is not that … We’ll use our brains in true ConEd style.” When game organizers dropped off faculty flags at home bases minutes before the 7:30 p.m. start time, the approximately 100-member ArtSci team—who had been concerned about their missing flag—took it as the sign to get moving.
Within the first 10 minutes of the game, the 10-member Nursing team lost their flag to a PhysEd troop of more than 20, who stormed them with shouts of “Flying V,” referring to a cheer in the movie The Mighty Ducks.
Nick Anstett, PhysEd ’09, said he was confident his team would win the game.
“We’re faster, stronger, [and have] more endurance, more intensity. We bring a lot of intensity,” he said. “Plus, we have whistles.”
Twenty minutes later, Anstett’s words rang true as a PhysEd offensive returned triumphant, carrying the Commerce flag. At that point, PhysEd went on the defensive, with all guarding their three flags—two of which were stolen—on Kingston Field.
Simultaneously, three other teams focused on their defence. Some of the Applied Science team linked their arms, to create a barricade in front of their flag. They maintained this strategy throughout the game.
of the CompSci team—a faculty who signed up for the game at the last minute—appeared to have their defence clearly mapped out. Many wore black from head to toe, and some even painted their faces, a strategy they said would make it difficult for them to be seen in the dark.
CompSci President Richard Chang used a megaphone to warn his team about approaching enemies. Several players also used walkie-talkies and flashlights.
CFRC—which gave live updates on the event and broadcast from speakers stationed at faculty home bases—played the Darth Vader theme in homage to the PhysEd team.
Soon after, faculties began to form alliances against the PhysEd team as groups of players lined the sidewalk on University Avenue—the edge of PhysEd territory.
A rush onto Kingston Field by students of many faculties resulted in many of the alliance being tagged and eliminated, including 30 players from the ArtSci team.
Moments later, the PhysEd team sang and danced around their flags.
Bill Myskow, PhysEd ’08, said his team decided to rush the Nursing team early in the game in revenge for the Nurses’ victory last year.
“All the other faculties are weak,” he said.
At 9 p.m., on the outskirts of the ArtSci territory, a last minute tactical team of various faculties was forming against PhysEd.
With five minutes to go before the game’s end, CFRC reported there might be a last minute attack on the PhysEd flag.
Graeme Hill, ComSci ’07, gave a speech in an attempt to gather more players for his cause.
“I’d rather the Engineers won than the PhysEd [team],” he shouted.
A large group of the players did arrive, with several Applied Science players linking arms, this time on the offensive.
One Applied Science player momentarily grabbed the PhysEd flag, but was quickly tackled by a swarm of PhysEd students.
Shortly afterward, AMS president Ethan Rabidoux named the PhysEd team the victor. In celebration, the team ran across campus, blowing whistles, cheering and waving their three flags.
Returning player Justin King, ArtSci ’08, said he vowed to return next year and help his faculty claim the title.
“There was more rivalry this year and more alliances working together,” he said.
Ryan Desroches, Comm ’09, said he thought the game was a success.
“It didn’t seem like there were many second-years [who came] out, but I would come back next year, it’s a good concept.”
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].