This year, Baruch College’s Undergraduate Student Government and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee teamed up once again to host the third annual Student vs. Faculty

Basketball Game, an event that has become a campus tradition over the past three years.

Students and faculty gathered both on the court and in the bleachers, eagerly watching as the game unfolded.

The ARC gymnasium was filled with excitement and suspense as President S. David Wu continued the tradition by tossing the first ball. 

From the very first plays, it became evident that the faculty team could dominate the game. They displayed a level of coordination and skill that put them in control of the game. 

As the scoreboard began to tilt in favor of the faculty, student morale wavered. Bernie attempted to rally up the students, who were beginning to feel disappointed. 

Shyann Ferrer, the Vice Chair of Instagram for USG’s Marketing Committee, and Latifa Abdraimova, a Marketing Committee Member for USG, watched their peers and faculty from the sidelines.

“It was so much fun! And I am very disappointed in the students,” Ferrer noted.

“I think it was a very wonderful event and, yes, it was disappointing that the students lost, but it was also very impressive how great the faculty was playing,” Abdraimova shared.

The score at the halftime mark was 28-41, and students were clinging to the hope for a comeback. 

But dunk after dunk, Sayeed Osorio, the Athletics Assistant Coach and former basketball player for the Men’s Basketball Team, helped lead the faculty team to victory during the second half.

The final score was 44-81, faculty.

Other notable players from the staff team included MVP Kashawn Guadalupe, a member of the custodial staff at the Office of Student Life, and George Yang (AKA “Purple Shorts”) from Public Safety.

“It was fun and high intensity at first and then we kind of ran away with it. I just play how I play and I like to be a team player most of all, so it was between encouragement and seeing if I have to take over and pass the ball,” Guadalupe explained after the game. 

“Last semester, I joined USG and overall it’s been fun helping the students… Hopefully, next year if I get named [Vice President of Academic Affairs], I will find a way to make a contribution to the school as well,” Marketing Management major Joseph Grullon said about participating in the event as a player and as a student running for USG.

“I’m proud of everyone because everyone tried their best… the faculty got the better of us but hopefully next year we can get back and even out the score,” Grullon added. 

Music was provided by DJ Demetrios Giannopoulos, who came “[s]traight from Sparta, but instead of battles, he’s dropping beats” and kept the energy high.

The lively announcers of the evening included Caroline Sanchez and Justin Calzado, who hyped up both teams as the scores climbed.

The referees and two of the coaches were students, highlighting the students’ involvement in putting together the event.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, @CUNYbystudents made a special appearance on campus, offering their signature merchandise to attendees: crewnecks, phone wallets and stickers. 

While the final score may not have been in the students’ favor, the night was yet another celebration of school spirit, friendly rivalry, and the strong sense of community at Baruch.