Bon Temps Weekend 2011 - post by Mairi "McGee" Mcguire

Let us set the stage- a mild February afternoon, the snow still drifting after the storm, a slight wind, ruffling strands of hair and the fringes of scarves, dozens of Champlain Students, some still dazed from the night before, gloved hands gripped on the wooden sticks, crouched over the smooth palette of ice, prepared for what will happen next. N-H-L, they chant, hitting their sticks against one another, before swiping at the small, brightly colored rubber ball.



Like small players inside a fooze ball machine, they ram against one another, unable to control their feet on the ice. Many fall against the ice, casualties to the festivities, but they rise up once more, battling against friend and foe, praying with every swipe of their stick, that the ball will pry through the goal lines of the opposing team.

Broomball is the main fixture of Champlain College’s Bon Temps Weekend. Tradition envelops the entire weekend, with teams such as the Commies and the Angry Lumberjacks returning each and every year to compete. The tournament takes place on the K/L field, on the home made ice, ringed by wooden boards which have carefully been decorated by Champlain’s past generations of competitors. The sport is an odd one, and is often greeted with a puzzled look when mentioned in normal conversation. However, this does not take away the fact that Broomball is popular is other parts of Canada, such as in Grenella, Manitoba, otherwise known as the Broomball capitol of Canada.

Broomball, much like hockey, comprises two teams, each player with a stick topped by a duck billed head. The object of the game is to score, and so, when put in these words, Broomball seems not much different from hockey.

The magic of the sport comes with it being played at Champlain. Competition is tough, team mates slam their hands against the boards and heckle others in the hope that they will become distracted and let the ball slip from their clutches. A great deal of the game is spent on one’s backside, and although the recovery period is long, as bruises litter players’ legs, arms and knees, this weekend could not be any better.

We are not only students at Champlain, we are family, and although we are not all familiar with one another, the boundaries that separate us are wiped away as soon as our boots reach the rink. Smiles, partly blocked by molded mouth-guards are permanent fixtures, energetic hand shakes are shared after the games and whoops of pure adulation are heard each time the ball clears through the goalie. Snapshots are shared, depicting students careening wildly on the ice, swooping their stick at the ball, or standing in a team pose, cheeks rosy, smiles inadmissible. The weekend ended with the annual Bon Temps Dinner, a smorgasbord or chicken wings, lattice fries, pizza and a chocolate fondue fountain.

As first term of second semester comes to a close, Bon Temps weekend was the perfect way to unwind and spread the cheer with the Champlain Family. This long lasting tradition will remain in our hearts for many years to come, and it will continue to unite Champlain Students, long after we have left.

--Mairi