Anyone wandering past Witherspoon Student Cinema on Thursday nights might just find themselves on the sidelines of an unusual fight. Clad in training gear and wielding weaponry covered in protective foam, students enthusiastically pound each other with a wide variety of weapons.
For the past two years, the Sparring Group, as they call themselves on their Facebook page, has gotten together weekly to practice fighting skills. Founded by James Austin and Tanner Williams, the group formed to test different weapons against one another.
“We talked about what weapons we liked and how we would fight these weapons against each other,” Austin said. “The whole purpose of the group was that we wanted to learn to practically fight using weapons.”
At first, Austin and Williams practiced at slow speeds, but they soon realized they weren’t learning much fighting in slow motion. They each bought Cold Steel practice weapons and, after suffering various injuries, began padding the weapons for safety.
“We started purchasing whatever we could get, which included pool noodles, which make for good foam,” Austin said.
What started as two friends training together has grown into a small group of weapon enthusiasts, all with different specialties and levels of training.
“We’d get a new member that specialized in a new weapon that neither James nor I did,” Tanner said. “By having different people in the group, it’s forced me to be more adaptable. It’s about not getting rooted in doing the same stuff over and over.”
But the two founders approach variety in different ways. Austin practices with as many different weapons as he can. When the group started, he had experience fighting with two swords. Since then, he’s tried numerous weapons, including knives, tomahawks, spears and a shield on both arms.
“I started branching out to where the entire group will say that, while I’m not a master in any weapon, I’m probably the most well-rounded of the group,” Austin said.
Williams, on the other hand, specializes. Though he has spent some time with other weapons, Williams focuses on knife fighting. Recently, he has added a tomahawk in his free hand.
Williams most enjoys the chance to test his skill against as many different styles as possible.
“I have a lot of years of knife-fighting experience, and I’m the only one in the group,” he said. “It was interesting fighting swords and shields and other long weapons with short weapons.”
The sparring group also gives its members a chance to create weapons. William Stumph, a senior in physics, has trained with numerous weapons, but he also made his own out of thick, plastic pipes and pool noodles.
“I’ve made swords and everything up to pole arms and things that are longer than I am tall,” Stumph said.
While many Sparring Group members have gained experience, the club welcomes anyone with a willingness to learn, Austin said.
“We’ve had people just walk by and show interest in the group,” Austin said. “We do go easy on new people, if someone is obviously a lesser-skilled fighter than we are.”
Further, the group uses numerous safety precautions and gear and follows basic rules of engagement.
“Don’t aim for the head, don’t aim for the crotch,” Austin said. “If you do get hit, gauge the injury and react appropriately. If you plan on coming regularly, investing in a pair of gloves is definitely good.”
The sense of community makes the Sparring Group a success, Robert Nunley, a senior in creative writing and one of the group’s regulars, said.
“You can go to the gym and work out, but when you talk to [club] people, you can come up with ideas and ways to push yourself forward,” Nunley said.
Austin also stresses the friendship and camaraderie between club members.
“It’s about a combination of learning and fun,” Austin said. “We all want to learn to fight better, but it’s all fun and games. There’s no competition but what you set for yourself. I’m competing with myself to get better.”
The group invites anyone interested in improving their skills to swing by Witherspoon on Thursday evenings around 10 p.m. – to watch or join the action.
Michael Browne, a sophomore in psychology, attacks James Austin on Jan. 31 outside Witherspoon Student Center. The two are members of the Sparring Group, who build homemade weapons of PVC pipe and foam. The group meets every Thursday at 10 P.M. outside Witherspoon Student Center.
