As one of the sport clubs offered at WSU, cricket provides all the expected benefits of athletics — competition, camaraderie and a way to stay in shape. But for many players, it also provides a means to stay in touch with their culture and reconnect with their childhood.
“I played this game quite a bit while growing up in India,” said member Sankar “Jay” Jayaram, professor of mechanical and materials engineering. Likewise, member Swaminathan Kalpathy, assistant professor in finance, insurance and real estate, said, I like to “play the sport I enjoyed the most growing up in India.”
The team isn’t exclusive to India though, said member Anuj Shah, a part-time graduate student in computer science at WSU Tri-Cities. “We have people from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan,” he said. Past members have been citizens of the United States, Australia, South Africa, Jamaica, England and elsewhere, Jayaram said. And, of course, new members from anywhere always are welcome.
In the meantime, the club is a way for members, and their wives and families, to stay in touch with their culture as they support their team’s athletic endeavors.
“Cricket definitely helps in keeping in touch with India and Indians,” said Shah, who regularly makes the five-hour-plus round trip from the Tri-Cities to play weekly scrimmages or games in Pullman or Seattle. “My wife travels with me and she has made good friends with the wives of other players.”
“It’s an amazing experience rooting for your home team with friends and family,” agreed Kalpathy.
There are about 30 members in the WSU cricket club. Most are graduate students, though about four are faculty or staff and 10 are undergraduates.
They pay $20-$30 in annual dues. The club pays league dues and players bear their travel expenses, but contributions from faculty and alumni help with the costs. Also, the WSU Sport Club Federation picks up a significant portion, said Jayaram.
“They are extremely supportive of our activities — through their willingness to work with us, provide us with funding, etc.,” he said.
The club practices twice a week — at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Rogers/Orton Field — for three to four hours.
Novices are welcome. Some compete quite well after just two or three months of practice, said Jayaram, though these are usually natural athletes or experienced baseball players.
The WSU club participates in the NorthWest Cricket League, whose teams include university and community players. The WSU team won the league championship in Division 1 last year, Jayaram said. League competition begins in late April and winds up in late September.
Club Hoppin’ is an occasional series of articles about some of the lesser-known of the 25 clubs in the WSU Sport Club Federation. Faculty and staff are welcome to participate, though in some sports competition is restricted to students.
