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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1981)
Pressure cracker New game workshop plays up cooperation By STEPHEN CRAKER OfVwbnaraM Some University students found the weekend a good time to alleviate the pressure that accompanies the buildup to "Dead Week" and finals Some students just played for the sake of playing, while others played and gained upper divi sion credit at the same time The University department of physical education and recrea tion was responsible for some of the "crack" in finals' pressure over the weekend. They offered a three-day workshop on "New Games’’ as an alternative to traditional recreational pas times "People are put in funny si tuations and the outcome is hilarious," says Bill Johnson, student coordinator for 'New Games' on campus These situations include sit ting in a big circle and trying to pull everyone else’s socks off The last one with a sock on wins If some gamesters shied away from playing footsies, they could sit crab-like on the floor and try to kick a mammoth rub ber ball past their opponent’s goal Many participants gave this game, "Earthball,” high reviews. FOR THE MORE AGGRES SIVE, "Boffing," offers the op portunity to beat an opponent silly with a sponge bat The ‘‘Lap Sit." which oc curred at Autzen stadium two weeks ago. was an offshoot of the ‘New Games" concept. Johnson says the games started during the ‘60s anti-establish ment storm in San Francisco The program presupposes that everyone - including the disabled - can take part "Everyone can play because there is no competition,” John son says. "Everyone plays together Even in games where there is a winner everyone has so much fun the winner isn’t obvious. "The originators wanted to create a war-like situation with non-warlike methods People found they were enjoying them selves in non-competitive games The activities empha size cooperation," says John son. Eventually, the movement went national and has found homes in such unlikely places as executive luncheons of the Lions and Kiwainis clubs "I've seen it done,” Johnson says. "Those meetings are stuffy, and It breaks the ice.” ABOUT 100 PEOPLE and 30 staff members took part in the weekend activities, which occured in Mac Court and the Gertinger Annex University students dominated the crowds, but members of the public par ticipated too Recent University graduate Steve Hollenhurst, also a seminar staff member, says students enjoy the active games. "Our energy level is high, and people are picking up on that and getting involved You have to put effort into it to make it work.” However, students had other motives for participation The bait that caught many students Clip & Su\ c Winter Schedule Monday ★ New Taco Babels!! Tuesday ★ Pizza Babels Hot!! Wednesday ★ Pastrami 'n' Bagel Thursday ★ Pizza Bagels Hot!! Friday ★ Hot Challah Bread Saturday ★ Bagels, Bagels, Bagels Sunday ★ Huge Cinnamon _Rolls_ open 7 da vs a week 7:30-7:00 ja4th & Hliyard 484-114a was the upper division credit offered to players. "The credit incentive is the whole factor,” says Matt Cutter, a business student. "It (the pro gram) is kind of juvenile really. They treat you like little kids They made it sound different." However Recreation senior Don Taylor says the games do have some positive value. "I work with youth a lot, and it gives me ideas." And that's part of the pro gram's purpose, Johnson said "We instruct and have them play,” Johnson said. “We show them how to use new games. " Despite their educational value, says sophomore Becky Stephens, the games presented a fun alternative to study £ ■7fguf>'m . owennA* ^ ?OOT>S q-RATiz) opsu'm# vse m • tompltU oelteUtut • frattVUHQ fruuU Off fa/MHt Tfot-Tu to-7 Sat & Sum. !2-S >856 s >3(6 342-7429 Cultural Forum Program Committee Presents “This week in the EMU” December 7 through 11 Wednesday Spaghetti Feed Special 99c ★ Dinner -er.ed bet .vfcv: 5'30 7'00 p.rr. NL.-:r i,n*\ 730, featuring the V*.: m .regional '*/./ ar:>*- this week Olsen and Larson Quartet Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Christmas Crafts Faire 167 EMU r.10 r. We'd t".: P -r? - .rr 10 4 Fr: Friday Beer Garden 4-7 prm in the EMU Dining Room Nu Shooz FAMILY PLANNING CENTER YEAR ‘ROUN PECIA 2 for 1 SALE Koromex Jelly Reg. 6.49 sale 4.99 V_
