Student-led Assassins game culminates in rainy afternoon “death match”

Caylen McCoy and Duncan Carrasco face off in the quad to determine the winner of Assassins.

Photo credit: Natalie Guske

by Natalie Guske

Concordia’s student-led Assassins game came to an end on Friday after a week of sock throwing, spoon stabbing and poisoning, when two Concordia juniors, Caylen McCoy and Duncan Carrasco, faced off on the rain-soaked battlefield of the quad in the anticipated Assassins “death match”.

Around 60 total Assassins participants armed themselves during the course of last week with the approved weapons: socks for throwing, spoons for stabbing and pieces of paper labeled “poison” to place under eating vessels.

Assassins were granted 24 hours of immunity if they successfully poisoned their assigned target and after all approved modes of murder, they inherited the target of the person they eliminated.

“[My favorite thing about Assassins] is definitely watching it unfold,” senior Nathan Sollberger, the organizer of Assassins said. “It’s a lot of work to get into, but then once it’s going it’s really entertaining.”

Sollberger kept Assassin participants updated on the death toll through daily emails from the mysterious “A.,” and worked behind the scenes to make sure the logistical side of the game went smoothly.

“Google Drive is my friend, that’s how I keep track of stuff,” Sollberger said. “I use [Google] sheets and surveys, then just copy-paste the names in and randomize them.”

Some participants, like junior Naomi Mueller, employed strategy as she carefully configured her day to vary from her regular routine.

“I think [that for next year] I would definitely be a little more aggressive, but I did like how I constantly moved around and was vigilant,” Mueller said. “I think that was a good strategy to do.”

McCoy, who emerged victorious, used luck to his advantage instead of relying solely on strategy as he said his first attacker tried to kill him before the game had even started, giving him a hint as to who to avoid.

“A lot of my strategy was running away from [the guy who tried to kill me] and then taking opportunities as they came,” McCoy said. “[My] most tense moment [of the game] was when that guy and I did not expect to see each other and were like three feet apart in Thom. We both just kind of froze and then I ran out the door; I guess I reacted faster or something.”

Students are already longing for the return of Assassins in the spring semester and Sollberger says that after leading Assassins alone for two semesters he is ready to pass on the legacy.

“People are saying they want another game in the spring, but I don’t want to be fully in charge of it again,” Sollberger said. “So, I am planning to train someone to take over.”

Assassins is a time-honored Concordia tradition and despite the feelings of impending doom participants might feel throughout Assassins week, Mueller says it is well worth it.

“I’d encourage anyone who wants to be paranoid for a week to join Assassins because it’s very fun,” Mueller said. “You get glory and spoons [from Janzow].”