New Jersey 2006

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Photos and Articles by Matt Lurrie

Throughout the years, I have encountered many people who have heard of Ga-Ga, might have played it, and have even called it by a different name.  Thought to have originated in Israel, 'Ga' (גע) is Hebrew for hit.  The game's necessities are rather simple: an octagon constructed of something sturdy (in our case, plywood) and a rubber ball.

Campus Kids is a happy place, and as such, the ball that is vigorously hit at others in order to permanently get them out of the arena should be happy too. 

Ga-Ga is somewhat like dodge ball, but here is where it deviates from commonly accepted practices.  you may only hit the ball once until it touches either a new player or a wall.  Touching it twice will result in being called out on a "double touch".  Like volleyball, you may not "carry" the ball, that is to say, you must hit it (hence 'Ga').  There are no teams: it is every man (and woman) for themselves.   Each person's mission is to hit the ball into their opponent below the knee-that is the only way to get someone else out.  Also, if someone hits it out of the arena, the last person to touch the ball is out.  Games can get intense.  This week, the Freshman and Sophomores had their own Amazon-themed Ga-Ga tournament.

Counselors often join in, but are in no way better than many experienced and quick-moving Campus Kids Ga-Ga-teers.

There are two Ga-Ga courts in Campus Kids which perpetually move from place to place to prevent the grass from wearing away.  Although the court is moved to avoid crop circle-like patterns, this picture, taken from the roof of Washabaugh Hall (a trek for this adventurous photographer) shows the damage a few games can bring.  Nonetheless, the earth replenishes itself and the grass grows back after some rainy days and Ga-Ga remains a widely-played sport at Campus Kids.