DUCKS2K16 is bringing together campus cultural groups to be united on the court.
Saturday and Sunday from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m., 17 student groups will be participating in a basketball tournament hosted by the International, Hong Kong and Vietnamese student associations.
“The true meaning behind this tournament is to raise awareness of diversity. By inviting Greek Life and all international student groups we not only strengthen our international communities but also reach out to our domestic student groups,” the International Student Association’s President Amy Li said.
ISA’s mission is to see a university with limited cultural barriers. ISA works to achieve its mission by building and strengthening international communities through events, providing students a home away from home.
Li recognizes segregation between international and domestic students has long existed on campus, but she sees basketball as a common interest that can bring cultures together.
The tournament provides participating students an opportunity to step out of their circle, Hong Kong Student Assocation President Sammi Wong explained, “It’s the beginning of a movement.”
The 17 teams participating in DUCKS2K16 include 14 cultural groups and three Greek Life chapters, with all genders welcome.
The tournament begins in a round robin format with teams being separated into three groups. All teams play four games and earn points depending on their outcome. The points in group play are given in the same way as a soccer tournament’s, ISA’s Vice President Luoyi Farestrand explained.
Top teams from each group will be reorganized into a single elimination bracket. The top three teams will earn prizes from sponsors which include The Duck Store, Yogurt Xtreme, Chipotle, Subway and Sweet Life.
In addition to the tournament, the event will include a performance by the Duck Street Dance Club and a featured competition between the UO Men’s Club Basketball Team and an ISA All-Star team led by UO Men’s Basketball former assistant coach Ben Voogd.
Spectators are welcome to the event and are encouraged to sign up for three-point and half court shooting contests on the DUCKS2K16 Facebook Page.
For all involved, DUCKS2K16 provides an opportunity for cultural engagement, communication and networking between diverse student groups, Li said.
This tournament is part of ISA’s “Same but Different” campaign.
“The idea behind it is to raise awareness for diversity on this campus and celebrate all nationalities and how everyone is unique in their own way,” said Li.
When talking about how the HKSA team will be playing a sorority team in the tournament, Wong smiled.
“At the end of the day I want players to recognize, ‘Wow, I wouldn’t have had that anywhere else if I didn’t go the University of Oregon,’” Wong said.