I walked across the basketball court toward the crowd of HNC students standing on the sideline. It was Friday night and we were at the last game of Nanjing University’s basketball season. As we formed a student section, the HNC team warmed up for the basketball game that would soon begin. In Chinese universities, athletic seasons usually revolve around competitions between teams from each department. Earlier in the semester, they formed the annual中美中心 basketball team. Our team had made it to the final tournament matchup and was set to play the physics team. Players on our team included both international and Chinese students that hailed from as far as California, USA to Henan, China.
Every year, HNC’s sports interest groups are dependent on students that start them. Within this semester, multiple workout interest groups have emerged, adding on to student life on campus. HNC’s modest fitness center is equipped with essential athletic gear for activities such as weightlifting, yoga and basketball. In addition to individuals who work out daily, our gym is typically filled with groups who primarily focus on plyos, yoga and insanity workouts throughout the week. Personally, my favorite group is the student-led hip-hop dance class. Another HNC student also holds lacrosse practices that welcome both students and interested Nanjingers. They usually practice on the field in the middle of the running track, which is a 3-minute walking distance from the HNC. Adjacent to the track are the basketball courts where you find Nanjing students hooping when the weather is nice. The sports facilities at HNC and Nanjing University definitely fulfill the desire for an active student life.
Friday’s tournament final between HNC and the physics department took place in the indoor basketball courts building. We cheered loudly throughout the game as we experienced thrilling and suspenseful moments of skilled ball handling and jaw-dropping 3-pointers. Chants of “DEFENSE,” “HNC, that’s my team,” “中美中心” and “加油” filled the building. By the end of the game, HNC’s basketball team fell short but our student section’s support highlighted a camaraderie that has grown among HNC students. We can’t wait to watch them again next season. In the mean time, we need to come up with more HNC chants!
Written by Tarela Osuobeni, HNC Certificate ‘17