The League of Lightsabers

Reported By: Kate Mack

Photographed By: Yolanda Diaz

A new club has hit the George Fox University (GFU) campus. The Lightsaber Dueling Club is new as of this year and is growing fast. Led by President Seth Baker, the club not only duels, but practices different styles of fighting. 

Baker had the idea for a lightsaber dueling club in high school. He tried to get one started then, but while people were interested, there just weren't enough people to continue to pursue the club. Once Baker got to GFU, he joined the Fencing Club. This club renewed his dream of starting a lightsaber dueling club. Baker described how once a semester, the Fencing Club dueled with lightsabers. After seeing the response that these duels received, Baker knew he could start the club and have enough people for it to take flight. 

The Lightsaber Dueling Club is more than just dueling. With special lessons in different forms of fighting with lightsabers, members learn the difficult dance of battle. Baker shared that the club also performs choreographed fights and specialized battles during their meetings. As Baker explained, the club is open to anyone. They provide tutorials for inexperienced duelers and incorporate enough challenges so pro-duelers can also continue to grow in their skills. 

Due to the similarities of their clubs, rumor has it that the Lightsaber Dueling Club had some beef with the Fencing Club. However, when asked, Baker explained that there is absolutely no bad blood between either club. Baker was quick to state his love and respect for the Fencing Club, and he thanked them for their inspiration in helping him start his own club.

If anyone is interested in joining the Lightsaber Dueling Club, or even just curious about what a meeting looks like, all are welcome: they meet at 5:30 p.m in Hadlock every Friday. For any other information about the club or any of its activities, do not hesitate to reach out to the club itself, and in Seth Baker’s words, “May the force be with you.”