Avila wins Fall Classic Cricket Cup

AvilBy Sam Kombrink

If you happened to be near Avila University on Saturday, October 18 you might have heard what sounded like a football, or soccer game being played, but instead it was the growing sport of Cricket.

Students cheered on the Avila University Warriors cricket team who beat the University of Central Missouri Chiefs 164-118 to win the Fall Classic Cricket Cup at the Z.

Vice President of Global Affairs Andrew Vogel shared how this sport can bring people together from all walks of life.

“We love to welcome diverse communities to our campus. We have over 1,600 international students at Avila from 45 different countries,” says Vogel. “This is really a great opportunity for people from all nations and cultures to come together in a unified way, which is cricket.”

According to Vogel, this was the second Fall Classic Cricket Cup ever hosted by Avila University.

Cricket is a game that can last for several hours in its original form. But this year, Avila chose to follow a shorter, more action-packed version called T20. Each team bats for a maximum of 20 overs. The game usually lasts about three hours.

Team manager Udit Kaura was the one to bring the idea of a Cricket Cup to fruition and will keep contacting universities around the KC area to see if they would like to partake in another Cricket Cup. Last year Avila beat Washburn University to capture its first title.

“We started in 2023 with lots of talented players from different countries,” says Kaura. “With the help of Mr. Vogel, we had full support of international students. So, this will keep going every year.”

He says the team is always on the lookout for enthusiastic players. “[Cricket] will open the door for students who come to this country not just for academics, but to participate in a diverse culture, make friends and represent the university [as athletes].”

Vogel recalls when he witnessed his first cricket match being played and was intrigued.

“When I first got here, I saw Udit playing with just a few guys. Now he has organized and built [the league] from the ground up,” Vogel said.

Many of the players are part of the Kansas City Cricket League that plays matches at Minor Park during the summer months. Saturday’s game was the first organized collegiate game of the year at Avila.

“Even though it’s not an official sport yet, It’s an organization on our campus,” Vogel said. “We don’t want to play against corporate cricket teams. These Fall Classic Cricket Cups are uniquely played between universities.”

Kaura noted that he wants the sport to grow beyond Kansas City and reach athletes from all over.

“We have a big vision for the international students,” he said. “We are going to play here in Kansas City against other universities and once we are done, we will go on to the state level. But we have to keep growing the sport here first.”

The next outdoor match will be played in the spring, called the Spring Classic Cricket Cup. in the meantime, the Warriors will take their talents to the Pavillion to play in the Indoor Cricket League.

“We will start practicing next week,” Kaura said, who added they are in need of more players.

For more information make sure to reach out to Kaura (kaura510229@avila.edu) or Vogel (Andrew.Vogel@avila.edu).