Lessons of life from Saybrook's King of Tyng

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Peter Sung, SY '99, has revitalized Saybrook IMs, and pissed off TD in the process.

Every year, hundreds upon hundreds of Eli's sons and daughters flock to the fields, courts, and even bowling lanes of New Haven in the hope of carrying away intramural victory in the form of the Tyng Cup. Yet one man has stood alone in his quest for Tyng glory. Almost singlehandedly, he has brought Saybrook from the IM cellar to the top, and even when shrouded in controversy, he refuses to yield. The Herald sat down with Saybrook IM secretary Peter Sung, SY '99, to find out who he is, what exactly he does, and why the hell any of us should care.

The Yale Herald: So who's going to succeed Saybrook as the next Tyng dynasty?

Peter Sung: Unfortunately, TD is a perennial competitor. They're good in the fall, and their women are phenomenal athletes. I don't think Saybrook will stay hot. Maybe Branford. Stiles should be strong. Dan Wilderman, MC '00, says Morse will take the Tyng. It's pretty much his quest.

YH: Then what's the key to getting points?

PS: There's definitely a great amount of pull with tennis, squash, and ping pong. If you can create a racquet contingent--get the same good people to come out and play each racquet sport--you're bound to get a lot of points.

YH: If you were forced to eliminate an intramural sport, which would you get rid of?

PS: Field hockey. It's impossible to get that many girls out there, and basically there are only two really good teams. There's just something about girls running around with sticks that scares me. It could be worse if they let guys out there. I'd hate to play TD if they did.

YH: And if you could add a sport?

PS: A lot of people want to add wrestling or bring back crew. There's definitely a call for lacrosse. They might also bring back racquetball when they fix up the courts.

YH: There's a rumor that you're responsible for TD's collapse in the rankings. Is that true?

PS: Not at all.

YH: Well, TD claims you intimidate the freshmen and frighten them into not participating.

PS: Look at me. Do I look like an intimidating figure?

YH: Agreed. Then why this rumor?

PS: I'm not allowed to comment on the actual situation.

YH: Well, then, do you see how it might appear that you intimidate their athletes?

PS: Not really. I find the accusations ironic because I don't know and haven't talked to any TD frosh. I find it amusing to hear accusations from people I don't know, haven't met, and couldn't recognize. Some say I go to their matches on purpose. I attend a lot of IM games that involve other colleges, not just TD. IMs are the one thing that really brings a college together. How else do seniors meet freshmen besides when the guys hit on freshman girls? I try to rally behind my friends, whether they're in my college or not. We make sacrifices to play, and I respect [TD] Master Thompson for his influence. I just don't know why I'm getting blamed.

YH: Moving back to actual intra-murals. Which sport has the hottest women?

PS: I'm going to get a lot of heat for this. Rumor has it that women's basketball is the best looking. Pierson's women's volleyball is pretty hot. Their secretary says they're "the cutest volleyball team at Yale."

YH: What's the funniest thing you've seen in IMs?

PS: I saw a guy get hit in the face off a serve in volleyball. He went to the hospital. I guess that's not too funny.

YH: Can you name a group of IMers who are simply the best of the best?

PS: Rasika Jayasekera, CC '99, Christiaan Vorkink, BR '99, Sarah Overfield, BK '99, and Barrie Koegel, BK '99. They just make everyone around them better athletes. They're each very unselfish and very dependable.

YH: Name three things you can do with the Tyng Cup.

PS: We proved last year that you can use it to get rip-roaringly drunk. Uh, and you can wear it on your head and make a little hat. That's about it.

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