UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 28, Page 9
April 21, 1994
Juggler Kelly Bigley keeps her eye on the ball

                   "Look! Look!" yells the juggler as she
                  throws one, two, three...FOUR balls into
                   the air and gets them going, her hands
                        moving swiftly and gracefully

                       "I did it!" she shouts happily.
                              "I did it! I...."

                   THUD! One ball lands at her feet. She
                 bends to pick it up, forgetting the other
                           three airborne balls.

                             THUD! THUD! THUD!

                  Down they come, one by one, hitting her
                      on the head, shoulder...arm....

     This was an embarrassing but funny moment for Kelly Bigley, president
of the University Jugglers' Association. A junior in elementary and special
education, Bigley has been a member of the juggling club since the first
week of her freshman year.
     When she was in sixth grade, Bigley began to learn how to juggle. Her
sister in college wanted to be a clown and often juggled and rode a
unicycle around their home.
     Because her sister needed a partner to practice passing, Bigley
"volunteered." She started practicing with small bean bags in the family
room of their home. Every time she went in to watch television, she picked
up the bean bags and worked on her skills. "I don't remember having
difficulty learning to juggle once I learned the logistics of it," Bigley
said.
     Before long, Bigley had mastered the basics of rhythm, timing and air
position with the bean bags and moved on to juggle three balls or three
rings. She started passing with her sister, as well and attempted the
unicycle, but that never seemed to take hold.
     In middle school, Bigley juggled occasionally, in her spare time, and
entertained the children she babysat. She rarely juggled in high school.
When she came to the University and saw people juggling during Student
Activities Night, she immediately ran over and joined their club.
     The members were all very enthusiastic and made her feel at home, she
said.
     Since then, Bigley has spent many Friday afternoons juggling with the
University group. She said it's very relaxing because, at that point in the
day, all her classes are over for the week. Juggling lets her relax and
takes her mind off work, she said.
     The most traditional objects she can juggle at one time are four bean
bags or balls. Bigley also juggles three rings or bowling pins and uses
devil sticks.
     These two small sticks, one held in each hand, are used to throw and
flip a larger stick. The diablo is another apparatus she uses. It is also
known as the Chinese yo-yo. The diablo is like a regular yo-yo, but it
detaches from the string. Jugglers hold each end of the string with their
hands and get the yo-yo spinning very fast, then flip it high in the air.
     Bigley said it can be embarrassing when she throws it really high and
it misses the string and lands at her feet. But she just laughs it off and
tries again.
     Although she does not have a regular partner, Bigley likes passing
bowling pins with other people. Two members passed pins last year at
Delaware Day, but with a slight twist. "President Roselle stood in the
middle and they passed pins on either side of him," she recalled.
     Bigley said that although most members juggle the equipment provided
by the club, some bring their own. She said there are a few guys who stop
by occasionally with knives and torches.
     The knives are not extremely sharp, but the jugglers can get some
scrapes and cuts if they grab them wrong. The club does not provide such
equipment.
     The juggling club started sometime during the 1970s, according to
Bigley. While it has always been a small club, it has a loyal following.
     "People who've graduated know they can always stop by on Fridays,"
Bigley said. The members can be found practicing in the late afternoon in
the back gym of Carpenter Sports Building. When the weather gets warmer,
they move to the north mall, closest to Main Street.
     The juggling club performs at various functions throughout the year,
both on and off the campus. This year, members dressed up in costumes for
the carnival atmosphere of the Purim celebration at the Hillel House. In
conjunction with Circle K club, members performed at the A.I. duPont
Children's Hospital. Bigley said she enjoyed it because she loves kids. She
also liked performing and teaching children how to juggle at an open house
and family day at a local day care center, as well as at the recent Easter
Seal volleyball tournament.
     As it does every year, the University Jugglers' Association will
perform this May for Delaware Day. Bigley said this is always fun because
many alumni come back and participate.
     The jugglers give other people a chance to juggle, as well.
     Bigley also juggles when she is stressed or angry. "It's very
relaxing," she said. And while she does not aspire to be a clown like her
sister did, she definitely wants to use her skill in the future.
     "My sister taught middle school for a while and started a juggling
club," she said. "I might teach kids as a club activity, but I will
definitely use it as an indoor recess or gym activity when I am a teacher.
It's very good for motor skills."
     Can anyone learn to juggle?
     "Some people say they can't, but I think anyone can learn to juggle,"
said Bigley, as she tossed one...two...three...four balls into the air.
                                                  -Gina Poltrok