On Saturday, December 2, resounding shouts of triumph rang out across the Gunwi Sports Complex in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Seoul National University’s American football team “Green Terrors” had just secured their win in the 63rd National University Football Championship. The victory was made especially sweet by the fact that it had been a lengthy 50 years since the team had last been crowned.

SNU’s American football team “Green Terrors” wins the 63rd National University Football Championship

“Green Terrors” currently comprises 45 members, including the team's manager. Against all expectations, not one of the players is affiliated with the Department of Physical Education. Rather, they are students from a plethora of other departments, preparing to enter the employment market outside of their pursuits in football.

The hours of persistent practice and strenuous effort may be credited for the “Green Terrors” becoming champions for the first time in years. “After regular training, we stayed up late into the night to conduct strategy seminars, and before the final match, we practiced nearly every morning and evening, without fail. I believe our monumental win is a direct result of the sheer will of our players, supervisor, coach, and manager,” stated Captain of “Green Terrors” Jin-wook Jeong (Department of Fashion and Textiles).

Evening practice in the pouring rain

Though words such as “fierceness,” “intensity,” and competition” come to mind when one thinks of American football, it is, in actuality, a sport so inextricably intertwined with strategy that it may be referred to as “chess on the field.” If any one of the 11 players makes a wrong play, the entire game plan is shaken, and since each player’s role is so clearly defined and distinct, unity amongst all is of utmost importance. “Green Terrors” has regular training sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings during the semester and takes part in two training camps each school break. Leading up to major competitions, the team gathers twice a day to train and conducts additional sessions and strategy seminars during both weekdays and weekends.

Celebration following victory at the National University Football Championship

The blood, sweat, and tears shed over a common goal have unified the SNU’s American football team into a close-knit family. In fact, this close-knit relationship amongst its members is what makes “Green Terrors” special. Captain Jeong commented the following regarding his players: “Even outside of sports, previous and current members spend a lot of time together. We work out together, eat together, and the older students cheer their underclassmen on at games.”

We have much to anticipate in what other glories “Green Terrors” will be bringing SNU in the upcoming future. Stay tuned in to find out!
Written by Hee Seo Lee, SNU English Editor, heeseolee@snu.ac.kr