Bonneville Brawleyball

Heather Byrne
Staff Writer
  Every year, many unconventional sports are played at Bonneville High School; brawleyball is one such sport. Following the same rules as volleyball, brawleyball allows male athletes to participate in the fun of the sport; its only difference is the name. Although most practices and games occur at Bonneville, the district championships take place at Hillcrest High School. The sport’s season is contained to April, since it has very few events and practices. Ashley Yorgason, Student Council Advisor and English teacher, claims that brawleyball promotes school spirit and “creates a safe space for teens to get together.” Because of a lack of boy’s volleyball in District 93, brawleyball allows high school boys to play the game and have fun. 
  The students  playing the sport say that brawleyball definitely makes up for the absence of boys’ volleyball at BHS. Mateo Medrano, a junior and brawleyball player at BHS, claims that although he would be tempted to play volleyball, it might be too serious as a professional sport. In a low-stakes, high-energy game such as brawleyball, players are able to shake the loss off and still have fun through losses. 
  Only two brawleyball games and four practices are held before the district championships, which is hosted by Hillcrest High School. Teams were decided by grade levels and each team would play against another grade. Medrano believes that while there are enough games, the practices are too few in number, since there are only four of them. He also claims that compared to the girls’ volleyball team, the boys’ brawleyball players are “pretty basic” as far as skills go. Medrano explains that while the games are fun, the stands are packed with more parents than students; school spirit and support from peers would be appreciated by the athletes.   Even though there is a lack of audience at games, the brawleyball team is very close and, according to Medrano, do not have any problems with each other as far as getting along and playing fairly. Most of these boys participate in football or basketball together and decide to play brawleyball together. Football players who do not play spring sports during the third trimester often find themselves bored without a game to play. Having brawleyball during the spring gives these players something to do. This keeps them active as well as in shape during the spring season. The last event was on April 24th at Hillcrest, so that wraps up a great season!

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