1991_03 Hye Sharzhoom Newspaper March 1991

              March 1991
Hye Sharzhoom
SPQRTS,Page 9
Sunday League Represents Basketball at its Hye-est
By Pam Manoogian
and Arpi Ajamian
Staff Writers
For many of us, weekends are the
time when we like to relax and take a
break from school. Every Sunday
afternoon the Bullard High School
gymnasium is packed with young men
from five different Fresno Armenian
churches: St. Paul, Holy Trinity, St.
Gregory (Fowler), First Presbyterian,
and Pilgrim Congregational. These
five churches represent the
Interdenominational Armenian Church
Basketball League, an organization in
which recreational basketball is
played.
A typical Sunday afternoon is
divided into four different time slots
depending on one's age.    There is a
"rookie" division for 12 and under, a
"minor" division for 13-14 year olds,
a "major" division for ages 15-20, and
a "veteran" division for those who are
21 and over. This allows everyone to
get equally involved and compete at
their own level.
Before each game begins, a
clergyman says a prayer for both
teams as they form a circle at center
court.
All of the members involved with
the league play as a team by showing
their support and encouragement
towards fellow team members. There
is also a lot of support from the
spectators, composed of parents,
family, and friends.
Seth Atamian, the coordinator of
the league for the past five years, says,
"This is the finest thing that has
happened to the Armenian churches all
over Fresno. We have full cooperation
from all five church's ministers and
priests. The league is doing great. We
start the games with a prayer, try to
have a good time, and so far it's been a
wonderful success."
Some of the players who attend
Fresno State University are: Jeff
Ahronian, Armen Devejian, Phil Garo,
Garo Jabagchourian, Tony Jagh-
lassian, Matthew Jendian, Ara
Kebabjian, Anton Kismetian, and
Matthew Peters.
We were able to talk to a few of
the players and ask them about some
Of their thoughts concerning the
league.
Armen Devejian (St. Paul Church,
veteran division): "It gives a good
opportunity for friends from different
churches to get together and play some
ball."
Phil Garo (First Presbyterian
Church, veteran division): "The league
gives us a chance to catch up with old
friends and gives us the opportunity to
make some new friends."
Joel Mazmanian (St. Paul Church,
major division): "I think we need a
little more fan participation at the
games in order to make it a more
supportive and also enjoyable
experience."
Jason Ahronian (St. Paul Church,
major division): "Some of the people
out here take it too seriously, I won't
mention any names, however. I'm just
out here to have fun."
This league offers both
excitement and competition along
with Christian fellowship. Hopefully,
with cooperative spirit such as this,
the bonds of friendship will flourish
among the Armenian youth.
A.S.O. Sports Update
By Matthew A. Jendian
Staff Writer
Homework, term papers, and
exams are a stressful component of
every    semester. However,    the
Armenian Students Organization offers
its members a chance to get together,
release some of that stress, and have
some fun during the course of the
semester by sponsoring teams to
participate in intramural sports
against teams from other school clubs
and organizations.
In the fall, volleyball was the
sport in season. Approximately
twenty- five members participated on
one or more of three teams that were
sponsored by the A.S.O. This was the
first year that our club was able to
assemble mens', wbmens', and co-ed
teams, all three of which were rated
very highly in terms of sportsmanship
points. The mens' team, named Hye
Spikers, saw several returning
members from their 1989 team to the
lineup. They struggled early, playing
several grueling three-game matches
against some very tough teams but
closed the season strong. The
womens' team, Hye Delights, played
well despite the fact that there were
several first-time players. And
finally, the co-ed team, Aces Hye,
managed to steal a couple of matches
at the end of the season to make up for
some of the close, early lossess to
finish at .500. Everyone seemed to
enjoy the weekly competition,
including a few die-hard fans.
The spring semester usually finds
our club fielding teams to participate
in mens' basketball and co-ed intertube
water polo. This year however, co-ed
intertube water polo is not being
offered. So we plan to assemble a coed softball team, named Hye Flye. We
will be playing on Thursday
afternoons at 4:00 p.m. on campus,
beginning    March     14th. Men's
basketball is already underway. Our
team, Way Hye Up, has a record of one
win and two losses and a chance to
possibly still make the playoffs. The
team, consisting of ten members,
plays every Monday 8:00 p.m. in the
North Gym and closes out the regular
season on March 18th. Come on out
to show your support and cheer your
friends on. Anyone interested in
participating   on   the   co-ed   softball
team, please contact me at 431-1287
for more information.
Intramural sports offers students a
chance to meet other people, engage
in fun competition, and release some
of the stress that comes along with
each semester.
Armenian Sports Trivia
1. He played professional football from 1966 until 1981. His list of
achievements includes three Super Bowl appearances and also holder
the of the NFL record for most field goals in one game (6). However,
he is probably best remembered for his infamous Super Bowl blooper.
2. He holds the major league baseball record for most pinch-hit home
runs in World Series play (2).
3. He is second on the Fresno State University all time rushing list
and also played in the short lived USFL from 1983-84.
4. He was starting guard for Fresno State University's basketball team
from 1953-54 and later went on to coach San Joaquin Memorial high
school in which he posted a 26 -12 record.
5. The only Armenian brother combination to play in ten
consecutive ACYO Sports Weekends and without ever winning a
game.
Answers to questions are included on page 12.
5 out of 5 correct - a true Armenian sports trivia buff worthy of
writing for Hye Sharzhoom.
4 correct - very astute, but need a little work.
3 correct - need to watch more ESPN.
2 correct - must be stricdy a golf and bowling fan.
1 correct - stick to the Comics page.