On Jan. 26, the new chess club had its virtual information meeting to discuss more about what the club is and what its plans for the semester are. First-year graduate students Ryan Lees and Amanda Sharkey will assist whoever they choose as president in helping run the club.
“The chess club is a sports club, which is also a student based club,” said first year graduate student majoring in social work Ryan Lees. “It centers on students who enjoy playing chess and so they meet once a week.”
At their virtual informal meeting, Lees revealed that no one actually attended it because there is already a different chess club currently operating on campus that has 15 to 20 members.
“We’re working now after the meeting to connect with that chess club and try to get them integrated into the sports club program,” said Lees.
The intention of having a club like this at Lewis is to engage students and help them meet new people.
“I think its purpose is to get students involved and help them meet like-minded students, especially for activities that aren’t as mainstream and popular,” said Lees. “They should know that they have an outlet and a place to hang out with kids who have the same interests as them.”
Students are encouraged to join the club because anyone who’s interested in playing chess, should join the club.
“It’s not designed to be competitive, unless that’s what the students want,” said Lees. “If anyone who’s interested in playing chess, or feels like they’re not involved enough, I think it would be a good opportunity to just be in an environment that’s not competitive while you’re in college, and just be yourself and meet people.”
Since Lees and Sharkey haven’t contacted any students in the current chess club, they don’t know when and where they have been meeting.
“Unfortunately, because we haven’t contacted or talked with any of the students in the chess club, we don’t know when or where those meetings will happen at the moment,” said Lees. “They could meet because there’s so many classrooms and meeting rooms available and I don’t see any problems with organizing meetings for this club.”
The campus community should be aware of this club and spread the word, so students will become more aware and in-club participation will grow.
“I think the more people that know about it, the more people will join, and that’ll just help build the community around the chess club,” said Lees. “I’ve never played chess personally, and I don’t know very many people who have played chess, but it just seems like they’re more of a quiet community.”
Photo Credit: Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times/TNS
