Studies such as those done by media marketing company Nielsen have made it apparent that social media has no doubt allowed for significant expansion of access to information. This access allows people to connect with some of their more niche hobbies. Not only are these sports becoming more popular but it also attracts more growth strategies such as more sponsorships. 

TikTok has been a successful conduit for this access to information. People will become interested in topics they have never heard of before because the algorithm just happened to show them a video on the subject. There have been two major revelations from TikTok regarding niche sports. The first is that there are sports that I have never heard of, like Professional Face Slapping. The second is the significant expansion of previously niche sports, like Esports. 

Face slapping, originating in Russia, involves two competitors taking turns slapping each other across the face until one person surrenders or is knocked out. While the sport has generated controversy due to its violent nature, it has also gained a loyal following online and now has its own world championship event.

Esports, or competitive video gaming, has exploded in popularity in recent years. Millions of people tune in to watch professional gamers compete in games like League of Legends, Fortnite and Dota 2. Esports has become a legitimate industry, with tournaments offering millions of dollars in prize money. Professional teams and players can even find sponsorship deals with major brands.

Niche sports also serve as a way to preserve traditions and history. For example, jousting, rooted in medieval times, may seem like a relic of the past. However, jousting is still alive and well today thanks to a dedicated community of enthusiasts who compete in tournaments around the world.

In the end, niche sports remind us of the limitless potential of human creativity and ingenuity. They allow us to push the boundaries of what we believe is possible and inspire us to discover new worlds and experiences. So, the next time you are looking for something new and exciting, consider trying a niche sport – you never know what you might discover.

Choir performance at Hanging of the Green

Many of the holiday festivities on the Hill are long standing Jewell traditions. The first event is Hanging of the Green, which was Wednesday, Nov. 30 during Jewell Time. This event started in 1965 as a jazz concert and has evolved to include much more. There are choral, handbell choir and jazz band performances, as well as student caroling. As a student leader, I was able to be part of this event and help “hang the green.” I remember attending this event my sophomore year thinking I would never be in this position. Although not a huge fan of singing Christmas carols, I always enjoy listening to the Jewell choir and band.

Arguably one of the most loved Jewell holiday traditions for over 30 years, Lighting of the Quad is to take place tonight, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. This event is one of my personal favorites, from standing outside huddled together like penguins to trying not to drop candle wax on the grass to drinking hot chocolate at reception in the Yates-Gill Union to taking pictures with Jewell’s own British Santa while pleading for better grades. This year, the event will be followed by Celebrating the Green, a performance by the jazz band and a staged reading by the theater company at 8:15 p.m. in Peters Theater.

Santa at Hanging of the Green

Another Jewell favorite is the College Union Activities winter formal. Sure to be a fun night of free food, formal wear and dancing you’ll be embarrassed about the next day, the event is Dec. 8 at Crowne Plaza Hotel from 9 p.m. until 12 a.m. It’s a great excuse to dress up with your pals, head to Kansas City and relax a little before finals week hits.

The final Jewell holiday tradition, which is frankly becoming more and more a legend than reality, is the infamous sledding down Browning Bowl. While I have yet to witness enough snow on the Hill to see this happen, I hear it can be quite the ordeal. Having walked down the Hill to my car in the Sahara this semester, I can only imagine how much more efficient a sled would be. So, if the weather decides to get cold enough in the next few weeks, I expect to see you all zooming down the Hill on a borrowed caf tray.