NEWS

Z Cup Softball Tournament Held

Update: May 27, 2025　　

On Sunday, May 18, the "Z Cup Softball Tournament" was held.
This event brings together first-year to fourth-year students, upperclassmen, and alumni to get active and enjoy socializing through softball.
This year's Z Cup was held in remembrance of Professors Emeritus Yoshio Niwa and Nobuyuki Matsuoka of the Department of Health and Physical Education (then), who had fostered the development of sports on campus, including the inaugural tournament likely held in 1974.

Although the weather forecast up until the day before suggested the event might be canceled due to rain, the dedication of the participants and the organizing committee–who had been preparing well in advance–was miraculously rewarded with sunny weather, allowing the tournament to proceed.

Nearly 200 ICU alumni and current students participated, competing in 14 teams in a series of spirited matchups.
In the end, AMICI, a team of current students formed among friends, claimed victory and took home the Z Cup. The alumni team Baraki 3-chome finished as runner-up.

Both the alumni returning to campus after a long absence and the students who spend their days at ICU–people of all ages, regardless of and gender–chased after the white ball (which was actually orange). Professors Emeritus Niwa and Matsuoka surely watched over the enthusiastic players–batting, running, pitching, and catching–with warm smiles.

To all current students and alumni who participated this year, and to those considering joining next year–let's meet again at ICU next year.