Saginaw Valley Cricket officially rolls out as a club sport this week.
Two months after meeting with President Donald Bachand, members of the club team now have a place to practice: a field located in the southwest corner of campus.
“When we started, we played for local teams here,” said Imran Khan, a student employee in the Office of International Programs. “But then, it’s like, playing for a local team and playing for a university are completely different things. We wanted to integrate more students through this sport.”
Khan has played a large role in the creation of the team.
Seventeen students have shown interest in joining the team thus far; many of them are international students, but a few are from the United States.
While Shafayat Alam, president of the team, says 17 players would be a good start, he is hoping to recruit more than 20 members.
In cricket, 11 players are on the field at all times. Having more than 20 members would give the team an opportunity to substitute players and have scrimmages.
Alam hopes to continue recruiting and practicing before winter. Then, the team will prepare for the coming year, making connections with other university cricket teams.
“If we can connect and collaborate with other teams, we will know more about how the cricket culture is in the U.S., in terms of the college level,” Alam said.
They have already contacted some teams, including those from Wayne State University and University of Michigan – Flint. The team is also looking forward to entering into the American College Cricket league to compete with teams from other states as well.
“The ultimate goal is to represent SVSU,” Alam said.
The team held its first open practice on the field on Friday, Sept. 24.
After becoming officially recognized as a club sport, the team received funding to purchase uniforms. However, all equipment has been provided by the team members. They brought it from their homes, and, while it is cheaper and not on par with professional equipment, members say it is acceptable for now.
Eventually, though, the team is hoping to purchase better equipment, which usually costs at least $700 per individual.
The team will continue looking for opportunities and support, and are hoping to keep the price of being on the team below $50.
“We are trying to spread cricket more, and the biggest achievement would be to take the pride as a Cardinal and compete against other teams,” Alam said.
Tryouts will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the new cricket field.
For those who do not know the sport well, team members will hold workshops to teach prospective players more about cricket and its rules and regulations.
