Chapman Juggling Club was started out of spite. 

In elementary school, sophomore psychology major Cole Raber was taught the art of juggling during a physical education unit. He never really got the hang of it, but his brother was an instant professional. Ever since that day, he has been striving to be the better juggler — to be as cool as his older brother. Look at him now: only one of them can say they founded Chapman Juggling Club.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a pro,” Raber said. “But you know, I’m pretty good. I’m probably the best on campus. Don’t quote me on that though. If anyone thinks they’re better, come to the Juggling Club and challenge me.”

The club, founded in 2022, is designed for every skill level — from Cirque du Soleil performers to those who don’t have an athletic bone in their body. While the idea of “feeling like a kid again” was not Raber’s intention behind starting the club, it has become the thing he hopes people will take away more than anything.

“It is a space for people to play, which I don't think people do a lot once you move off to college,” Raber said. “You don’t really get time to just mess around and play with toys. I think that has appealed to a lot of people and been a reason to be in support of juggling. It doesn’t really amount to anything because you are just throwing balls in a pattern, but for a lot of people, it can be a very fun and playful experience that I think we lose so much of these days.”

Arisa Taken-aka Trombley, a senior computer science major, had an old computer teacher who taught her how to juggle. On top of her ability to do handstands and ride a unicycle, she has become a triple threat for the circus. The president of Chapman’s computer science club convinced her to join the juggling club.

“I kept talking about how I wanted to join the juggling club as a joke, but then he showed me the posters they were hanging around Chapman. I was like, ‘I should join. I know how to juggle,’” Trombley said.

Ilana Tauger, a freshman psychology major, joined after realizing it may help her in another aspect of her life. When her and her friend started playing on the Chapman lacrosse team, they saw a juggling club advertisement. Neither of them knew how to juggle, but they soon realized it may also be good for their hand-eye coordination.

“And I mean, why not learn?” Tauger said. “We have loved it. We even take little progress videos every week.”

While it may seem like an unorthodox way to spend your time, Chapman Juggling Club has become a form of mindful meditation for many. It’s a time where Trombley doesn't have to worry about coding or life — she can just “throw some balls around.”

“I’m definitely a competitive person, so it’s kind of fun for me to release in a different way,” Tauger said. “I tell myself, ‘I want to get good at this’ and ‘This is something I can work towards.’ There’s no reason for it, except that it’s fun.”

What started out as just a juggling club has turned into so much more.

As the club went on, Raber witnessed the other skills that participants possessed and wanted to incorporate them into the club. Raber realized that the club could turn into a Chapman circus club. There was this community of people who have these interesting skills that no one would ever know about because there is nowhere to show it off — except here. Juggling adjacent activities have been added to the weekly club practices.

Funding for the club from Chapman would allow its members to purchase equipment and props that are often a barrier for those interested. Raber is pushing to provide these things for the people who have found a place to be themselves in the juggling club.

If you have seen posters around campus and thought it would be silly for you to join — Raber, Tauger and Trombley all encourage you to take a chance and show up for a meeting. These members and the many other seasoned jugglers are there to teach you everything you need to know. 

“Like, obviously it’s silly,” Tauger said. “It’s juggling, like who thinks they need to join a juggling club? At college? But I think it's a great way to get your mind off things and do something totally fun with no pressure. It’s something different. I moved all the way across the country to meet people and try new things. That’s what I am here for.”

If you want to join the club or learn more, go to their club meetings every Friday at 5 p.m. and check out @chapmanjugglingclub on Instagram!