Re/Live, a pair of home games commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ritsumeikan University's Biwako-Kusatsu Campus (BKC), was held on May 26 and June 9. The event was planned and organized by the students with the goal of fostering a culture of support for the university’s sports teams.

May 26: Ritsumeikan University vs. Kinki University Rugby Match

On May 26, the Ritsumeikan University Rugby Club faced off against Kinki University, but they were narrowly defeated by a score of 24 to 31. The players wore their alternate maroon-colored jerseys, which were unveiled for the first time. Many students and local residents gathered at the stadium, creating an electric atmosphere, and the cheers of the spectators provided the players with a boost of encouragement.

The Ritsumeikan University Genki Rugby Academy was held before the match, and about 30 elementary and junior high school students enjoyed playing rugby while interacting with university students. This event, which was designed to spark an interest in rugby among local children, proved to be an invaluable experience for those who participated.

June 9: Ritsumeikan University vs. Kwansei Gakuin University American Football Game

On June 9, the Ritsumeikan University American Football Club took to the gridiron in a game against their rival Kwansei Gakuin University, and the game ended in a 24-24 tie. In this game, the Ritsumeikan University Panthers strived to take their game to the next level under new head coach Kentaro Takahashi. The team was trailing by eight points with only a few minutes left in the game, but their grit and the crowd's support helped them knot up the score in inspirational fashion.
The Tamagawa School District and the neighborhood of Noji in Kusatsu City donated banners and flags, and the flags were put on display when the players made their entrance onto the field.

On the day of the game, 5,500 people gathered at the venue, where they enjoyed a wide variety of activities, including student organization booths, stalls run by new students, and performances by the cheerleading squad. Also, as part of the Asics Green Bag Project, unused sportswear was collected to contribute to environmental conservation, and Re/Live limited edition T-shirts were distributed.

   
 Asics Green Bag Project Booth
   
Several student organizations ran booths at the event

Success of and Future Prospects for Re/Live

Re/Live was a success not only in that it attracted a large number spectators to the games, but also by engaging with them by ways of participation in related events. With student-led planning and implementation, the students themselves were able to foster a culture of support for collegiate sports and deepen connections with the local community. Local residents, students, faculty, and staff joined together to celebrate BKC's 30th anniversary while providing entertainment by way of sports.

Comment from Shuta Uchida (4th year, College of Sport and Health Science), Re/Live Project Leader

This year’s Re/Live event was made possible with the help of over 1,700 people, including students. We hope this will get people more interested in rugby, American football, and other university sports, even if only a little bit. In the future, we would like to hold home game events for various other sports and create opportunities to fully communicate the appeal of sports at Ritsumeikan and, by extension, collegiate sports.

Shuta Uchida (4th year, College of Sport and Health Science)

Summary

This year's Re/Live, which was planned and implemented by students, was a huge success, attracting a large crowd.
 Participants were able to fully experience the joy of sports by watching the home games. The event also proactively brought together many students, fostering a culture of support for collegiate sports and deepening ties with the local community.
Re/Live marked a big step toward the future of sports at Ritsumeikan. Expectations are high for this kind of student-led sustainable development to continue into 2025, when the Academy celebrates its 125th anniversary.

(Photos by: Ryuzo Nakaoka, Kenjiro Matsuo / Aflo Sport)

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