Captain of Hanyang’s american football club- Lions, Yum Joon-suk (Applied Art, 2nd year)
“Experience American football, and you will be seduced by its charm!”
The KAFA Challenge Ball is divided into the regional and national competitions. Since the Hanyang Lions belong to the Seoul region, the Lions first had to make it into top four teams through the Seoul Regional Fall Challenge Ball. “During the quarterfinals of the Seoul Regional Fall Challenge Ball, we were losing by a score of 21:0 in the first half. However, we did not give up and turned the game around and miraculously won by 22:21 and were able to advance to the national competition,” said Yum with excitement.
Since it was a victory for the Hanyang Lions after 2012, all team members and their seniors could not hide their smiles. At the final match, the Hanyang Lions were able to taste victory with overflowing tension. “The most exciting part of American football is that prediction never works. Even though we were winning in the beginning, we were caught up by the opposite team in the middle. So, we tried our best and never lost a grasp of tension until the final whistle was blown,” said Yum.
American football is divided into two parts- offense and defense. There are four roles that offense players can play which are quarterback, running back, receiver, and offensive line. Also for defense players, the three roles are linebacker, defensive back, and defensive line, all of which are options they may choose. “The charm of American football is that despite your height, weight, and characteristics, you can take at least one position that perfectly suits you,” explained Yum.
Hanyang Lions and glory
The Hanyang Lions is an official American football club of Hanyang University first organized in 1962. With its long, solid history, all graduates and seniors make great efforts to support the club. “Our coach is also a senior who comes to teach and help us, even though he has his own job. Our seniors love the club and their financial supports along with cheerful words really encouraged us until the victory,” said Yum proudly. Yum is a team captain who organizes various events to build more powerful teamwork and to promote the Hanyang Lions to other students. “Organizing events, helping out freshmen members to adjust, and promoting our club is my main mission. The field captain of our club sets plans for actual games and manages practice sessions at least twice a week,” explained Yum.
The Hanyang Lions is composed of students from various departments. "We always have a camp training during the summer and meet at least twice a week to practice or hang out together, except for the exam period. Teamwork is the key to success in our club,” highlighted Yum.
Yum’s responsibility as a captain of the Hanyang Lions will end in December, and new leaders and people will gleam the club next year. "I hope more freshmen will join our club and learn the beauty of American football and teamwork along with it!”
Kim Ju-hyun kimster9421@hanyang.ac.kr
Photos by Choi Min-ju