This year, students have the opportunity to participate in Crusader Kicks to raise funds for St. Vincent de Paul.
Crusader Kicks, a futsal tournament during FLEX, has brought some minor controversy to Jesuit this year, as it is replacing Munch Madness, a long held basketball tournament.
This is the second year when Munch Madness was replaced by a different sport to raise money for St. Vincent de Paul. Last year, it was Sader Swing, a badminton tournament.
Munch Madness originated as a basketball tournament during lunch (hence “munch”), and during March, playing off “March Madness,” the college basketball tournament.
Historically, Jesuit held the tournament during lunch as there were no FLEX periods to hold it during. Now, many students already play basketball during FLEX periods.
“The possibility of playing during lunch time was kind of novel at the time, and now we have time which opens up this space a couple times a week for people who want to play in a really fun, laid back environment,” said Ms. Andrea Casey.
Trey Cleeland, a senior who won Munch Madness his freshman year, is upset about this switch.
“I didn’t even know that Munch Madness wasn’t happening this year. And I am very disappointed that it is being changed to futsal,” Cleeland said.
Conversely, junior Kian Stone is excited to be a part of Crusader Kicks.
“I think Crusader Kicks is a fun way to raise money for a good cause while spending time and having fun with friends,” Stone said.
Casey, the Associate Director of the Arrupe Center for Justice, said some feedback had been given on making the fundraiser more inclusive. So, this switch was made so more kids can participate, as people who want to play futsal are different from the people who want to play basketball.
“We want it to be inclusive and positive. And ultimately, we hope to send some money to St Vincent de Paul, as a result. So, we’re open to trying new things and pursuing whatever new ideas students have, and Munch Madness was something that really took off and went well, but it was time to try something different after getting similar feedback for a few years that there were some people who didn’t feel like it was super inclusive, and so why not try something new?” Ms. Casey said.
This switch has been disappointing to some students and teachers who loved the Munch Madness tradition.
“I don’t find futsal as fun to watch as basketball. It’s not on the same level as watching your classmates play basketball,” Cleeland said.
Munch Madness was a fun competition to not only play in, but to watch as well.
“I did watch Munch Madness, whether during the lunchtime sessions or then the championship game. I think that people did enjoy it. I think one of the reasons why it was successful is because it coincided with March Madness, and so that energy played a big role in getting it rolling,” Mr. John Andreas said.
Senior Thatcher Killian has mixed feelings about the change from basketball to futsal, but is excited to participate in Crusader Kicks regardless.
“While soccer is fun, I think everyone I know loved Munch Madness and wished it was still going,” Killian said.
Casey and Ms. Emily Schmidt, the other Associate Director of the Arrupe Center for Justice, could see Munch Madness return in the future.
“We would be open to doing basketball again, but thought it was definitely worth trying something else,” said Casey.
This could be achieved by having two brackets, one for men and one for women.
“This year with futsal, we’re able to have a boys bracket and a girls bracket, and so we’re hoping that that brings more girls to participate, and we’ll see how that goes having two brackets. And if we can do that with basketball maybe that would be another way too, to get more people of both genders involved,” Schmidt added.
Jesuit opted to try for something new this year with Crusader Kicks, but Munch Madness has the opportunity to return.
