Broomball my new love in life

by Lindsey Elling
Staff Writer

I officially have a new favorite sport.

Sorry tennis, but I am in love with a sport on ice.

No, I’m not talking about hockey. I don’t think I could even walk with pads on,

let alone skate back and forth with them.

I am talking about broomball.

Broomball, that phenomenon sweeping the Ohio campus, has captured my heart.

What is this broomball you speak of?

For those of us who have caught the broomball fever, hold on a second while I try to explain what makes this sport so great.

Basically, players run around on the ice in their tennis shoes, trying to put a grapefruit-sized ball into a goal that is smaller than a soccer goal, but larger than a hockey goal. They do this by using wooden sticks that have plastic “brooms” on the end.

Games are played in indoor hockey rinks and on outdoor lakes and ponds. Here at Ohio, games are played at Bird Arena after the hockey team has had practice and the ice is nice and choppy.

Don’t let the roughness deceive you, however. Many people, especially myself, fall and fall hard on slick spots. It is just part of the game.

To sum it up, broomball is running around on rough ice with wooden sticks, trying to put a small rubber ball into a goal and falling down a lot.

I can’t exactly explain what it is about broomball that I love the most. The sport as a whole is great.

There is a degree of difficulty in maneuvering on ice in tennis shoes and sliding into other players and walls.

There is contact with other players when going after the ball and occasionally, guys larger than you will check you into the boards.

But despite the bumps and bruises, there is that feeling of accomplishment after finally putting that stupid orange ball into the goal.

Broomball appeals to my athletic nature and I’ve seemed to have a certain knack for it.

Whatever it is, I love this game.

If I’m lucky, maybe one day I’ll be good enough for a professional league in Canada. Until then, I’ll refine my skills here at Bird.

See you on the ice. And don’t forget the kneepads.

— Elling is a sophomore journalism major who believes her black and blue knees are badges of courage in battle. Send her an e-mail at le280701@ohiou.edu.