Building Connection Through Play: Inside GU’s Board Game Club
Published: December 07, 2025
Author: Luis Palmer
Photo by Loryn O'Neal
Exposition: Beyond the Screen, Into Community
The clatter of dice, soft murmurs of competition, and bursts of victorious laughter set the tone for Greenville University’s Board Game Club. Each week, students trade screens for strategy, discovering how something as simple as a board game can spark lasting friendships and offer meaningful stress relief.
This student-led organization brings together players from all majors and backgrounds to share strategy, laughter, and community.
The club began as a passion project for student leader Jack Rugg, who arrived at GU and quickly realized there wasn’t a consistent time or place for students to play games. Rather than letting that gap remain, Rugg created the space himself.
His vision was simple: build a club where, “after I’m gone from the university, people are still able to meet up and play fun party games and card games.”
Rugg approached Shawn Foles, a faculty advisor and fellow board game enthusiast, who immediately agreed to support the effort. Foles brings experience from leading a weekly “Board Games and God” small group and strongly believes in the personal and social benefits of tabletop play.
Research backs him up—studies as recent as 2022 suggest board games can help reduce anxiety among college students. More than that, they give students avenues for connection and new experiences. Rugg described the club in one word: “Fellowship.”
Photo by Loryn O'Neal
Rising Action: Finding Joy in the Mechanics
A typical Thursday meeting (6:30–9 p.m.) is intentionally democratic. The players who show up decide what the group plays. When a new game hits the table, leaders walk through the rules and guide newcomers through the first round.
Foles ensures the weekly lineup stays varied, offering everything from cooperative adventures to European-style strategy games to classic American favorites. Whether a student is a cozy gamer or a tactical mastermind, there’s a niche waiting for them.
Rugg’s favorite part isn’t winning—it’s the shared moments:
“It really just creates memories that are irreplaceable.” He added that many of those moments are small flashes of “endearment that come up whenever we’re playing a game that we all enjoy.”
The club thrives because participation doesn’t require expertise. Unlike other skill-based organizations, almost everyone has played at least one board game in their life. Rugg explained that the club offers a space where “you don’t have to be an expert to find enjoyment or to fit in.”
Foles noted that board games surged in popularity after COVID-19, when people began exploring new activities at home. Major titles like Catan and Ticket to Ride entered mainstream stores, revealing a world “beyond Monopoly.”
As students discover these games, they also find each other—and the realization that technology isn’t required to build strong bonds. That’s why the club emphasizes that “competitiveness really doesn’t have a place here.” The focus is collaboration, connection, and fun.
Photo by Loryn O'Neal
Climax: Growth and Stepping Out of the Shell
Under the surface of tabletop strategy, the club functions as a subtle engine for leadership development and personal growth—an embodiment of GU’s mission to empower students for lives of character and service.
Foles has watched students relax, reset, and “forget for a bit about everything that has happened or will happen in their life that week.” The table becomes a place where stress takes a back seat.
But the growth doesn’t stop there. Students who arrive quietly or are unsure often step into leadership roles during cooperative games. Supported by their peers, they learn to teach rules, manage strategies, and guide teams. Meanwhile, naturally assertive students learn to step back and give others space to shine.
Cooperative games cultivate servant leadership—everyone succeeds or fails together. Euro-style games teach stewardship and careful resource management, mirroring GU’s emphasis on thoughtful decision-making.
The club isn’t just a game night. It’s a training ground for collaboration, compassion, and confidence.
Photo by Loryn O'Neal
Resolution: A Reflection of GU’s Values
At its heart, the Board Game Club reflects Greenville University’s values of community, connection, and spiritual growth through fellowship.
For Rugg, the most significant lesson has been discovering that “the most incredible moments and memories can come from something that may not even look that important.”
Foles’s favorite tradition is watching students unwind during Dutch Blitz—an energetic, laughter-filled showdown that helps students release tension as finals approach.
For anyone hesitant to join, Rugg’s advice is simple: “There’s really no worry.” Attendance is casual, newcomers are always welcome, and no one is ever required to show up.
Foles encourages students to “jump in” and try something unfamiliar. There’s no cost, no pressure, and no barrier to involvement—just community waiting to be found.
Whether sharpening communication skills, practicing stewardship, or sharing a moment of joy over a stack of cards, Greenville University’s Board Game Club proves that connection at GU can be as simple as rolling the dice.
Photo by Loryn O'Neal
