The tournament, which was open to everyone and took place at 4:30 on the Hal Niemann Field, was an informal event designed to introduce OU students and non-students to the sport of Bocce ball. Although not enough participants showed up to form traditional brackets, those who did attend enjoyed an afternoon of practicing and perfecting the game.
Co-coordinator and intercollegiate athletic administration graduate student Caroline Starr decided to bring the sport to OU after her cousin played in a Bocce ball tournament in Oklahoma City.
The first version of Bocce ball originated in Italy in the 1300's. Back then, two teams took turns throwing rocks on a field, with the goal of getting their rock closest to a previously placed object called the Pallino. Points were awarded based on how close one's rock was to the Pallino in comparison to the other team's rocks. The modern version of the game is very similar, using specialized Bocce balls rather than rocks.
Angela Triandafillou, graduate student in music, said she played the game as a child with her family. While she found the game boring years ago, she has since developed a liking to its simple style.
"It's quick, easy, and you don't need to be in tip-top shape (to play it). For the same reasons I didn't like it as a child, I really like it now," she said.
Co-coordinator Robert Brennecke, also a graduate student in intercollegiate athletic administration, said this was the first of what could be several Bocce ball events. He and Huston Huffman Center director Amy Davenport are currently developing ways to market the sport at OU.
Music graduate student Angela Triandafillou, 23, throws a Bocce ball while her friend, music performance graduate student Ashley Taylor, 24, looks on.
Photo by Stephanie Brooks
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