Members of the Gettysburg College Darts Society playing at their weekly meeting. (Photo Jacob Tone/The Gettysburgian)
By Jacob Tone, Contributing Writer
The Gettysburg College Darts Society, founded at the end of the spring 2025 semester, is introducing a piece of English culture to campus, offering students a chance to compete, relax and connect.
The club was inspired by the Cartmel College Darts Club at Lancaster University in England, where Katie Tyson ’26, Ewan Cross ’26, Alice Nguyen ’26, Lily Mader ’26, Ifti Mahumud ’26 and Hana Konno ’26 spent the Fall 2024 semester abroad. During their time abroad, they discovered that darts are a common pastime in pubs and student unions. After watching Lancaster’s Cartmel College Darts Team in action and even competing alongside them, they were inspired to bring the game back across the Atlantic.
“Darts in England isn’t just about winning or losing – it’s about spending time with people and enjoying yourself,” said Gettysburg College Darts Society president Kaite Tyson ’26.
Darts is advised by associate professor of interdisciplinary studies Ian Isherwood, and is open to both students and faculty. Meetings are casual, with members learning the rules, sharing tips and enjoying the social side of the game. The club meets on Fridays, 7 to 9 p.m., on the Plank Gym Stage.
The group plays several variations of the game, including 301, 501 and 701, all of which require players to bring their score down to zero by finishing on a double. Members use an electronic dartboard paired with a phone app to keep track of scoring.
For some members, the draw is competition. For others, it’s a break from academics. “This is the first club I ever attended here (at Gettysburg College), and I love it,” said Ryan Boline ’29. “I look forward to showing up every Friday to play and hope to help lead the club in the future.”
Club leaders say they hope to grow their numbers in the coming semesters and create a welcoming space where students can try something new, while keeping alive a tradition that connects Gettysburg to student life abroad.
