Hunger Games influences archery on campus

The movie “The Hunger Games” has proven to be a huge success with critics and FGCU students. But has the movie influenced students to pick up a new hobby?

Katniss Everdeen, “The Hunger Games” heroine, is an expert at archery, a sport featured throughout the movie. From hunting food for her family to protecting herself against the other tributes, Katniss has given archery a new, positive light. Has seeing this sparked an interest in students to pick up a bow and arrow?

The Lee County Archers say no. Ben Brown, of the Lee County Archers, says that the Archers have about 200 active members, but that it might be “too early to tell” if the movie has turned anyone onto archery.

However Bryant Stewart, treasurer of the FGCU Archery Club, disagrees.

“I have seen, in the past semester, an increase in new people coming out to practice who have never shot before,” said Stewart.  “Whether this has something to do with ‘The Hunger Games,’ I do not know, but we have seen an increase in interest in the club.”

Joining the FGCU Archery Club is simple. Practices are every Monday at 7:15 p.m. at the Lee County Archers Range. New members can find the necessary paperwork on the FGCU Sports Club webpage. It is recommended that new members join the FGCU Archer Club facebook page for weekly meeting and practice reminders.

The Archery Club currently has about 10 members that consistently show up to practice. The club takes all skill levels, from beginners to experts. Students can learn all the basics about the sport by going to the practices.

The Lee County Archers have open shooting every Thursday evening. Students do not need to have a membership with the Archers to use the range.

More information about the FGCU Archery Club can be found by emailing Bryant Stewart at brstewart@fgcu.edu. The Lee County Archers can be contacted at (239) 369-6212.