July 14, 2010

Polo, anyone?

After a successful spring debut, members of the Wichita State Polo Club are looking forward to a new season this fall. The WSU polo team won its first-ever match, 9-7, in April against Oklahoma State University. Playing polo isn't "just for horse people," says Paul Vernacchia, president of the Shocker polo club and a senior in business. The sport is for anyone seeking excitement matched with finesse. "There's a lot of grace involved with all the movement," he said. "It's really quite a satisfying experience."

As a club activity -- in contrast to a Division I NCAA sanctioned sport -- WSU polo is not subject to the same regulations. It can, for instance, accept part-time students as members. In addition, since polo is one of the Heskett Center's sports clubs, the group is open to any member of that center, including alumni, faculty and staff. Participants don't need to own a horse, either, as the club uses horses through the help of the Great Plains Equestrian Sports Training Foundation, a Wichita polo facility.

If you're interested in giving polo a shot, contact Vernacchia at pjvernacchia@wichita.edu or 250-8193.