The forecast of inclement weather didn’t stop students from gathering on the Parade Ground on Saturday morning for “Kickin’ for Haiti.”
About 50 students participated in the kickball tournament, hosted by the Manship Ambassadors and Tigers for Haiti, which raised $400 for the Tigers for Haiti disaster-relief fund.
Players each donated $10 to participate, and each team consisted of 10 players.
Mimie Laurant, Tigers for Haiti chair, said all proceeds went to Partners in Health, a nonprofit health-care organization that’s been working in Haiti for the last 20 years.
Katie Cicardo, Manship ambassador, said she was pleased with the turnout.
“I think a lot of people were turned off by the chance of rain,” she said. “But the people that came out were really engaged and active.”
Four teams competed in the tournament — Kickin’ It Old School, The Diplomats, The Conflicts of Interest and The Destroyers.
Kickin’ It Old School, whose uniforms consisted of knee-high socks, cleats, undersized shorts, one sombrero and two mullets, took home the victory prize — a pizza party.
The team was composed primarily of LSU Rugby Club players who said they knew they’d win the tournament before it began.
“Asking if we would win is like asking if Zeus has a beard,” said Scan Bruce, a Lafayette musician who heard about the tournament through his friends at the University.
Eric West, University alumnus and Kickin’ it Old School member, said the team participated for two reasons.
“We figure we can kill two birds with one stone,” he said. “We’re helping Haiti and having fun at the same time.”
Travis Lambert, kinesiology sophomore, wore a red, white and blue mullet and could be seen on the sidelines pouring Capri Sun into the players’ mouths and handing out snacks.
“I’ve got to keep them hydrated,” Lambert said. “I’m the team mom, coach and trainer.”
Lambert said the victory felt great.
“It’s a large pressure off my chest,” Lambert said.
Billy Pecue, petroleum engineering sophomore, said the team “took it one kick at a time” for a good cause.
“We don’t like to think of ourselves as athletes,” Pecue said. “We think of ourselves as philanthropists.”
Student Government Vice President Martina Scheuermann played for The Diplomats and said it was one of the best ways she could spend a Saturday morning.
“Letting loose and having fun for a good cause is very rewarding,” she said.
Scheuermann, a member of Tigers for Haiti, said she was happy with the turnout.
“After the tragedy in Haiti happened, I really wanted to make sure LSU formed some kind of response,” she said. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to see people supporting the cause.”
Laurant said the tournament coincided with the organization’s mission of action, education and philanthropy.
“Action doesn’t necessarily mean going to Haiti,” Laurant said. “It could also mean going out and having fun while being philanthropic.”
Laurant said she hopes to put together another sport-themed fundraiser in the future but will poll the students to see what game they prefer to play.
“People like playing sports when it’s a nice day outside,” she said. “It’s not just giving someone money. It’s an experience.”
Contact Sarah Eddington at [email protected]