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Columbia’s Renegades volleyball team faced off against senior administrators and staff in a competitive and lighthearted student vs. staff rematch game.

Students took the first two games against staff before a third, mixed-team match brought students, staff and administrators together on the court.

Last semester, Columbia Renegades hosted its first staff vs student volleyball game at East-West University, as the Chronicle previously reported. 

Unlike the inaugural matchup, which featured a large group of administrators, including President and CEO Shantay Bolton, this game had a smaller administrative and staff turnout. 

Senior Vice President of Enrollment Strategy and Student Success Emmanuel Lalande, Interim Senior Vice President and Provost Suzanne McBride, and Vice President of Legal Affairs and General Counsel Adam Weiss, were among the senior administrators in attendance at the rematch game.

Bolton had planned to play as well, but was unable to attend at the last minute.

Lalande told the Chronicle that he loves the idea of coming together with other administrators and staff to participate in events like these because they allow a different way to reach students.

He also joined Columbia’s Black Wolves basketball team as they hosted their first staff vs. student game last week.

“This is a student-led activity, and they wanted us to come and do this,” Lalande said. “For me, it just gives me an opportunity to see their competitive edge, and it’s just fun to experience it.” 

Weiss shared a similar sentiment as Lalande, as he said that meeting in this setting rather than an office creates a different atmosphere and helps to create a stronger sense of connection.

“I get to meet them personally. And because generally, in the office, I am advising on issues in the abstract, I’m hearing about students, so getting to see them face to face, it’s different.” Weiss said. 

Genevie Triplett, president of the Renegades volleyball team, said games like this bring visibility to the sports teams Columbia has. 

“We are so used to playing against ourselves, and so just playing against new people is always just so fun for us,” said Triplett, a junior ASL-English Interpretation major. “I am sure other sports clubs here would love to do something similar.” 

Sophomore graphic design major ShyBria Starkley, who attended as a spectator, said she was glad the event helped students feel more recognized by the administration beyond the competition.

“It’s nice to see that we are not seen as a statistic, you know?” she said. 

One of the student players, sophomore illustration major Kolapo Kolawole, said he hopes to see the game become a tradition.

“I think we need to interact with them more. Just not always academically, but fun events like this, just to let them know that we are appreciative of what they do,” he said.

This story has been updated.

Copy edited by Katie Peters