Students Face Off For Members During Club Week

In an all-out effort to broaden their member ranks, student clubs brought their A-game to students walking through quad for fall Club Week 2008. Booths decked-out in homemade club regalia-adorned tables, fliers flew from the outstretched hands of current members, and mailing lists doubled in size.But the absence of one club was palpable, hanging in the stuffy end-of-summer air like a Circle K balloon asking to be popped.

Fencing enthusiast Bernardo Escobredo, 22-year-old philosophy major, posed the question weighing heavily on everyone's mind: Where was that bastion of epic Middle Ages muscle, Medieval Fight Club?

"We're trying to figure that out ourselves, because we want to duel," he joked.

Clubs laid out their best pitch on why students should join their groups and, in the spirit of the missing Fight Club, engaged in a little theoretical inter-club dueling.

The College Republicans formed the left-hand border of a virtual no-man's land for undecided voters, which stretched between them and the newly formed College Democrats.

Marshall Roe, 22-year-old political science major and club chair, broke down his party's and club's purpose and appeal.

"We're essential to the Republican Party, because we argue against government corruption and big government, things that Obama and Biden only want to bring more of in our country," he said.

To capture that elusive middle, Roe went for the straight talk by highlighting his club's main leg over the neighboring Dem competition: Good ol' bacchanalia.

"We offer probably more partying than they do. The Republican Party brings us down to San Diego, takes us places, and pays for it. I suggest anyone with conservative ideas or that's interested in conservative ideas, join our club," he said.

But who would win in a Medieval Fight Club-sanctioned bout?

"We would, because we believe in the right to bear arms. I myself am an avid target shooter, but we would definitely have a victory, with or without the use of firearms," Roe said, preferring the idea of a down and dirty pistol duel … la the Burr-Hamilton showdown.

Connor Lewis, the Interim-Vice President of the College Democrats favored more diplomatic posturing. "Well, if they're willing to commit a felony, that's their call. And based on the number of members we've signed up today, I think we have the advantage of numbers," the 20-year-old history major rebutted.

As for the club's purpose, Lewis outlined a goal of kick-starting civic participation for young voters.

"We want to encourage youth participation in the electoral process, seeing as this election, more than most elections, is of extreme importance for the future of America. We believe that kids of our age, being part of that future, should participate heavily in this election," he said.

Down towards the L building, Johnny Montano, 25-year-old business management, promoted his club, the Japanese Visual Animation Club by dressing up as "Free Sample Man," a costume 4-years in the making, made for his yearly Comic Con pilgrimage. He had been wearing it all day for the club, "kind of like a mascot," he said, removing his sticker-covered mask to speak to the press.

His fellow club member, 19-year-old Kenny Kong, gave his club's platform after discussing the benefits of multiple game consoles.

"Basically, we're anime lovers, Japanese culture lovers. Whoever wants to just come and share their interest, we're just here to expose it to them," he said.

Circle K, a club that prides itself on volunteering and close knit friendships, spoke of the benefits of joining their ranks. "You meet people, there's a lot of leadership opportunities and networking and we have a lot of fun," member Anthony Nguyn, 19-year-old microbiology major said.

Directly across the way sat AGS, PCC's honor society, a club with similar goals, but a heartier member count. Circle K didn't want to stir up Medieval Fight Club-style fun for a laugh, but entertained the idea for a quick second.

"AGS is a good club and all -- they're our club friend -- but they have a lot of members, so we'd like to take--," he paused, mid-joke, "work together to do good deeds," he said, smiling.

Jasmine Lim, 20-year-old communications major played spokesperson for AGS. "We're an honor society that provides to the community. Members get to volunteer and have fun along the way. There is a minimum requirement of a 3.0 GPA. We do a lot of fundraisers for scholarships for students who've done well throughout the semester," she said.

And in memory of ye old fight club, who would win an epic foam-sword duel?

"That's an easy question: AGS," declared Leo Gorito in good fun. The 19-year-old economics major is the former club president.

AGS conceded that the K had energy going for them, not the first club to point out the group's collective glee.

"We have more numbers, though less enthusiastic members, I'll admit," he said.

As Day One wound down, the fencing club, or Salle Lancier, gave the most succinct and primal pitch of the day. "Join fencing club. It's the only club where you get a chance to stab people," touted club member Bernardo Escobredo.

And just who would win in the Medieval Fight Club/Fencing tournament to the death?

"We would win, because we're a little quicker, a little more experienced in sword fighting and technique," he said.

His teammate, Neil Matsuzaki, 24, math major, cut in. "C'mon, they use giant clubs wrapped in foam.