For the 2023-2024 school year, the Associated Student Body has approved 29 new clubs. The Accolade’s cub reporters from the beginning journalism class will report on each new group in alphabetical order. For the previous ones that have already been posted, be sure to go to the Feature section.
It’s not the Super Bowl.
It’s not the Olympics, nor is it the World Series.
But for those with a competitive sports mindset, they can check out SOCAL Sports, which the Associated Student Body approved as a club last October.
“We wanted to find a name that was broader than just Sunny Hills,” said senior Tobiah Lee, who founded the club and serves as co-president with his friend, senior Dylan Kim. “Students should consider joining because unlike other clubs, we mostly do things for recreation and to have fun.”
Ironically for Lee, the idea to form SOCAL Sports came about after he suffered a back injury at the beginning of his junior year.
He said he was at his boys junior varsity basketball practice in the weight room during sixth period when he hurt himself trying to lift a barbell from the ground.
“It was just pain,” Lee said.
A consultation with medical experts along with a magnetic resonance imaging scan concluded that he had suffered a condition known as spondylolisthesis, a slippage of part of his spine, he said.
Although he could strengthen his spine over time, Lee said he decided to drop competitive basketball; however, he continued playing sports with 16 of his SH classmates and engaged in weekend recreational activities ranging from basketball to football.
Then, at the start of their senior year, Lee and Kim started talking about forming SOCAL Sports.
The club has since attracted a total of more than 50 members.
So far, Lee said club members have competed in kickball and basketball tournaments in December and January and plans to end the semester with football and beach volleyball.
Teams can hold practices on weekdays after school at the Sunny Hills, Parks Junior High School or California State University, Fullerton, courts, he said.
At the end of the school year, the team that amasses the most points from each game will be crowned champions.
Lee said he plans to present a homemade trophy and paper certificates to the champions.
“At the end of each season, we host what’s called a banquet, [in which] all the teams get together,” he said. “We share what used to be competition now to friendliness; it’s camaraderie.“
During the club’s lunch meetings, Kim and Lee provide a recap of past events, review new rules for upcoming events and remind the members of the dates for the next tournament.
Club member senior Carlos Arguello said the competitive spirit has led to new friendships.
“Aside from being a club, it really feels like [we’re] friends,” he said. “I share a close bond with every member in the club.”
The SOCAL Sports club meets every Wednesday during lunch in Room 114. For more information, contact Kim at [email protected] or Lee at [email protected].
