If you’re wondering who the best foosball player is, don’t let science teacher and Green School club advisor Eric David’s fantastic gardening skills fool you: he’s a menace on the table-sized field.
It’s Monday, 3:30 p.m. Music plays over the speakers in room B-14 and a group of students crowd around a foosball table. Two students go head to head against David and lose horribly, as club leader and sophomore Felix Bahrou creates teams and matches.
Patented in the U.S in 1927 by Louis P. Thornton, foosball was once shrouded in obscurity. But since the first league, established in 1950, the popular table soccer game has become a classic throughout the nation.
Foosball has struck a chord with a select group of students at Norrix and now, as the foosball club meets for the second time, B-14 is bustling.
“I think it’s off to a good start. There’s definitely a lot of interest,” said David. “I think it’s something that could potentially grow.”
One thing’s for sure: without sophomore Felix Bahrou, the club leader, there would be no foosball club. He saw the lack of foosing at Loy Norrix and knew something must be done.
“There’s all these sports that you could play: basketball, hockey, skiing,” said Bahrou. “Where’s the foosball?”
Last year, Felix petitioned to start the club and got over 200 signatures. Afterwards, Bahrou went to David, who agreed to supervise the club.
The club runs on Bahrou’s enthusiasm, like a soccer player runs on Gatorade.
He makes sure everyone gets to play and, of course, provides exceptional play-by-play commentary on games, which are fast and filled with upsets.
“He’s energetic and he’s enjoyable to be around,” said club member freshman Michael Austin.
Although the club’s current table isn’t the highest quality, it makes for a very interesting and randomized pattern of play, ensuring that anyone has a shot at winning.
During the games, you can clearly see that Bahrou is in his element. He’s played foosball since fifth grade: he’s even read the official rulebook for the game.
“It’s so exciting, I love it,” said Bahrou.
Some might even call it foos-tastic, as the club has nurtured an environment of chaos and, of course, foosball puns.
This isn’t the only club that David is involved in. He also supervises Green School, which makes one wonder how he makes the time for a second one. David spends a lot of time planning and making schedules.
“It’s definitely a time commitment for sure,” said David, “but I really enjoy doing it. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have agreed to do it.”
