REASONS FOR BADMINTON

Samantha Seiders

samantha_seiders@gcccd.edu

Department of Athletics

Megumi Tonouchi (pictured) is a returning sophomore to Grossmont College. She travels from Tokyo, Japan to compete on the Griffins' women's badminton team.

In Tokyo, Tonouchi attends school at KIFL, the Kanda Institute of Foreign Languages – the Japan Association for Self-Access Learning.

For more than 18 years, KIFL has been committed to developing and supporting self-access learning both inside and outside the classroom in. The school's curriculum has consistently underlined the importance of autonomy in learning, which is the reason Japanese students study at Grossmont College. KIFL is the "sister" college to Grossmont College, and it provides the students an opportunity to travel abroad while studying.

This year Tonouchi invited her friend from KIFL and fellow badminton player Michiho Kobayashi to play badminton here at Grossmont College.

When asked about head badminton coach Bill Gillespie, Tonouchi states, "He is very nice. He cares a lot about students and students' thinking. His practice schedule is very flexible and he talks slowly so everyone can understand."

Tonouchi has always played badminton in Japan, and will return to Tokyo in June with hopes to transfer to a university. She does not know which university yet, but right now, she is enjoying traveling, the weather and food that San Diego has to offer her.

The women's badminton team participates in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference, and competes weekly on Wednesdays and Fridays during the spring semester.

Badminton's first home (G-House!) game is Wednesday, March 7^th at 3:00 p.m. versus Irvine Valley College.

For more information on women's badminton, please visit grossmontgriffins.com.