Published: October 25, 2007

Since the spring of 2006, Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s (FCLC) intramural softball team has been meeting on Thursdays to compete against other Rose Hill teams. The Quailmen, as they like to be called, might not be the best intramural softball team in America. With a current record of one win in four games this season, the win being attributed to the other team’s forfeit, the Quailmen continue to stand strong and make the journey to Rose Hill each Thursday to battle the throng of Rose Hill teams. As a registered club with Rose Hill’s intramural office and the only FCLC intramural softball team, one would think that Fordham University would support the FCLC Quailmen in any way possible. This, however, is not the case at all.

From the team’s inception, the Quailmen have been forced to pay Fordham for transportation to Rose Hill to compete in their league. Each member of the 12 man team pays the Ram Van fee every week totaling around $72 roundtrip to Rose Hill. It seems a bit unfair that Fordham would require its one and only FCLC intramural softball team to reach into their pockets when none of the Rose Hill teams have to. The fact is, the $72 that is spent each week by the Quailmen to pay to get to Rose Hill could be pooled together to purchase uniforms, refreshments and even some pennants for the spectators.

Some might argue that Fordham has no responsibility to the Quailmen because they do not fall into the category of “mainstream” athletics as defined by Fordham. Is this a logical argument? The Quailmen and many other Fordham students would say “no.” It would seem that a distinction has been made between intramural teams and actual athletic teams. What exactly is that distinction? Both the intramural softball and the Rose Hill baseball teams consist of Fordham students. Both teams are registered with the university and both are allowed scheduled access to Rose Hill’s facilities. It would seem that the primary distinction between intramural and mainstream athletic teams is that one competes outside of the university while the other does not.

Given the reality that FCLC athletics pale in comparison to Rose Hill athletics, you would expect Fordham to bolster the few teams that do reside at Lincoln Center. If Fordham were to grant FCLC sports clubs a budget, it would bring some much needed recognition to Lincoln Center sports and would encourage participation in Fordham Athletics across the board. For now, the Quailmen can only hope Fordham University hears their prayers. Regardless of whether or not Fordham acts on this matter, no one can deny that the Quailmen should be given all the benefits of a registered organization. One can only hope that Fordham will “step up to the plate” and help the team in any way possible.