Interview with Crystal Palas, a soccer club in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.

In addition to the college clubs, there are many clubs in each majors that attract many students. ‘Crystal Palas’(크리스탈 팔라스) is a proud science and soccer club of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development(AERD) of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. This club is as cool as the Premier League. Soccer lovers might cheer as soon as they see this article. To solve questions about the department's soccer club ‘Crystal Palas’, let's meet and talk with Captain Lee Eon-jun, the AERD Class of 22.

1. Please introduce "Crystal Pallas".

Do you know ‘Hwimori’(휘모리), the soccer club of College of Agriculture and Life Science? In the past, Hwimori was a soccer club of our department, AERD. However, Hwimori became College club as it grew up and the members from other departments in our College increased. So Crystal Palas was established to continue the history of soccer club in AERD. It is a department club, so all members of our club is AERD students.

2. Why the club was named "Crystal Palas"?

Oh, do you know the English Premier League club ‘Crystal Palace’? If you like soccer, you'll know that club. While the seniors were thinking about the name of the new soccer club, we arranged the name ‘Crystal Palace’ with the nickname of our department lounge ‘Pala’(the eight-story lounge).

3. How did you get into Crystal Palas?

I joined the club by the recommendation of a senior who was playing ‘쁘락치’(the senior who mixed into freshman as an event of new-semester) at Saeteo. Since it's a department club, many people come in with recommendations from seniors or open recruitment of Kakao Talk chat rooms. Later, there are many people who come in at the recommendation of their colleagues already playing in the club.

4. How does Crystal Palas's regular activities go?

Crystal Palas' most important goal is to win the dean’s soccer tournament of the College of Agriculture and Life Science. Previously, We participated in the university presidential competition, but we lost by a big margin in the game because there was usually a soccer team consisting of colleges(laughs). The result was not motivated by the members, so I decided not to go on the presidential competitions after I became the captain. Other Regular activities are held at least once a month to play with other departments, and we also have homecoming day once a semester and invite OB seniors.

5. Is there a special event only for Crystal Palas? Or I'm curious about the charm of Crystal Palas.

Unlike other soccer clubs, the biggest advantage is that we have a homecoming day. There's Hwimori, the predecessor of Crystal Pallas, so there are many senior OBs and even professors participate. I think it's good to be able to meet with seniors on Homecoming Day to share their concerns about their careers and lead them among seniors and juniors. Also, I think it is also special that we are the only soccer club in the department in CALS.

6. I'm curious about the future operation plan.

I was sorry that last year's dean's performance was not so good, but this year, I will practice harder with more flexible friendly matches with other teams because new members in Class of 23 actively participated in the activities and there are many good players. In early April, we had an internal friendly match, and in May, we are planning to play a friendly match with Korea University's Department of Statistics.

7. A word to the students who want to enter Crystal Palas

Other college clubs require basic soccer skills, and members have to take too much time in training. On the other hand, Crystal Palas' great advantage is that we can build bonds between seniors and juniors without much pressure, and able to enjoy ourselves in a pleasant atmosphere. Don't worry even if you're not good at kicking the ball. I hope you sign up and enjoy your activities with us :)