International Badminton Night was held as a part of Winthrop’s International Education Week, sponsored by the International Center.
International Education Week is a worldwide event that promotes the sharing of cultures through the process of education. Winthrop annually participates in this celebration during the second week of November.
LeAnn Lowrey, assistant director of the Winthrop International Center, is proud of the hard work that goes into putting this program together.
“We have these events so we can share cultures with campus members,” Lowrey said. “This is a week that is not just for students, but faculty members as well.”
The week’s events also included the International Tea, a Study Abroad Panel, Global Trivia and Casual Friday — all of which were approved for global cultural event credit.
Wednesday‘s event was a celebration of global athleticism, and the first of its kind on Winthrop’s campus.
International Badminton Night was held on courts three and four of the West Center, which are designated badminton courts — complete with badminton court lines.
To begin the festivities, Geoff Morrow, Winthrop’s basic instruction program director, discussed the history of badminton.
Historically, the game originated nearly 2,000 years ago as “Battledore and Shuttlecock.” This original version of the game was played without a net, and the goal was to simply tally the number of volleys made between players.
In the 1850s, English officers in Bristish India added a net, made the game more competitive and recoined the game as “Poona.”
After introduction of the game to the Duke of Cambridge, at his residence known as “Badminton,” the game eventually evolved into what it is known as today.
Following the telling of the sport’s history, Morrow shared basic rules of the game including: server position, how to score and how to serve — underhandedly, unlike in tennis.
Morrow was enthusiastic about the event.
“I love how novel experience can bring people together,” Morrow said.
He said that this factor further promotes Winthrop’s focus on community.
“Badminton becomes a shared experience and common space where outside things don’t matter,” Morrow said.
Morrow, who teaches a badminton course on campus, further said that his student’s excitement about learning about the sport is what excites him as a professional.
The matches of the night were played in a modified version, where instead of playing to 21, participants played to 11. The night worked on a court rotation system, so that all of the attendants had a chance to play multiple times.
The night was enjoyable for not only students, but coordinators as well. Tabytha Beu is the graduate associate for the International Center, and she coordinated the night’s event.
In her position, Beu helps to serve over 100 international students who are currently attending Winthrop.
Along with student assistance, Beu is responsible for coordinating events for the International Ambassadors — a group of students who are eligible to receive in-state tuition after meeting certain criteria.
While working to help international students, Beu keeps in mind one main goal.
“My main goal is to bring global awareness to domestic students and create a relationship between domestic and international students,” Beu said.
Beu commented that the turnout was much better than she thought it would be, and that left her encouraged.
“It’s really great to see Winthrop students being able to go home, wherever they come from, and spread the word of the importance of being a global citizen,” Beu said.
Beu also finds this event not only symbolic for Winthrop, but for the region as well.
“I think it’s really good not only for Winthrop, but for this state and this region to know that there’s people out there who are more culturally aware and who want to be more culturally aware,” Beu said.
Not only does Winthrop offer a badminton course, detailing the principles of the game, but the university may soon see the Winthrop Badminton Club join the list of Winthrop clubs and organizations.
Leah Beckwith, sophomore psychology major, will serve as the chartering club president. Many universities across the nation offer badminton as an activity course, and increasing interest has sprung development of badminton clubs.
Beckwith said that she thinks this club will be beneficial for the game of badminton and for Winthrop students.
“I think making a club would increase the importance of the game,” Beckwith said. “It already draws a lot of people together who probably wouldn’t have otherwise known each other.
Beckwith, like Beu, was also happy to see so many people at the event.
“It further affirms the fact that a lot of people are interested in this and it would succeed as a club, and that’s why I want to bring it,” Beckwith said.
Photos: La J’ai Reed/ The Johnsonian
