By Timothy Giang ’26
In the year of 2025, Bellarmine proudly houses students from all walks of life. This diversity is celebrated in the numerous clubs and affinity groups we have on campus. Highlighting affinity groups, they have been spaces for Bells to connect with each other over their shared cultures and experiences. From Black Student Union to South Asian Student Association to Japanese Culture Community, these groups have been initiatives by Bells to create unity within Bellarmine. It’s this rich diversity of the Bellarmine community and a fun way to create unity that inspired senior Ryan Cheung to take his own action.
In the beginning of the year, Ryan, an executive in Unity Council and Chinese Culture Community, proposed to Unity Council the idea of a World Cup type soccer tournament during community times between affinity groups and other student-run clubs in Bellarmine. Fellow Bells liked the idea and in short time, his plan moved forward and the tournament opened the last week of February.
The tournament began with 7 teams from these student clubs: Hindu Student Association, Chinese Culture Community, Vietnamese Student Association, Latino Student Union, Korean Student Association, Black Student Union, and Bell Robotics.
With each game set to have faculty as referees, 7 man lineups, official uniforms, and all within 20-minute 10-minute halves, these games were built for the high drama and energy of real World Cup matches.
The first three matches of the first round were eventful to say the least. CCC vs Robotics saw a heavily armored Robotics team decimate CCC with a four point lead over their opponent’s humble zero points. Secondly, HSA vs VSA was filled with controversy towards the refereeing of the game, which was then thus settled in a follow-up rematch with VSA pulling a 3-0 win. Lastly, BSU vs KSA was a hard fight until BSU began dominating and walked out with a 5-2 win.
In the semifinals, VSA faced the powerhouse that is LSU. Of course, many came into the tournament with a high expectation that LSU would sweep the entire thing, explaining why LSU had a bye during the quarterfinals. So being that it was LSU’s first showing in the penultimate round, they still dominantly put down VSA in a rainy and physical game (3-0). On the other side, Robotics vs BSU was a tough fought match that again saw Robotics pull through with the win.
The two teams in the finals, LSU and Robotics, were set for an entertaining game. Quickly in the game however, it was obvious that one team would dictate the rest of the game. LSU controlled the possession and put down countless Robotics attacks, leading 3 until the Cheesy Poofs finally scored a fruitless goal in the last minute of the game.
So with a 3-1 showing, LSU stood on top as the first ever Club World Cup Champions; Robotics in second and BSU in third, defeating VSA in a third place match. A standout performance of the tournament was from senior Emmanuel Garcia who led the tournament in scoring with 5 goals and leading LSU’s dominant offense.
Club World Cup was an outstanding event that Bells of different groups got to participate in. There was drama, there was high spirits, and there was entertaining soccer played. Ryan hopes the tournament he created will inspire underclassmen to take action and put their ideas and planning into reality. . . and hopefully a new Bellarmine tradition.
“I wanted to show younger members of Unity Council or even Bellarmine in general how someone could plan an event and see it happen”
When Bells take action, from students like Ryan who initiate their goals to every club leader who lead their club, great things can happen for the community. The only remaining question is, who will be the champion next year?