Ready, set...dodgeball

Honors program hosts dodgeball tournament with Halloween theme

By: Elliot Wardlow

Posted: 10/29/09

Alone on the court, sophomore Zachary Johnson faced three Chuck Norris Kids players in the final match of the on-campus dodgeball tournament yesterday.

Johnson, the team captain of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity's team, was able to catch two balls, bringing in two teammates and taking out two of his opponents. After a 10 minute stalemate, SAE emerged victorious, winning the tournament in the recreation center.

"It was one of those bittersweet victories," said Johnson, who had been badly heckled for wearing a polo shirt.

The games were only part of the contest. As part of the tournament, players dressed up as Vikings, senior citizens, William Wallace, Superman and other characters.

The Geezers team won the best-dressed award for its senior citizens costumes.

Thomas Harding, freshman mechanical engineering major, dressed as a basketball player for the tournament.

"I played because it's a bonding experience for the honor students," Harding said. "And you get to hit people with dodgeballs."

Teams participating in the event included The Chuck Norris Kids, The Geezers, Hungry Tiger and Freedom Fighters.

Because the tournament was close to Halloween, Gian Gozum, special events coordinator for the Honors Student Council, said incorporating costumes was an important part of the event.

"Adding costumes makes it more fun," Gozum said. "I wanted the tournament to look like the ending of the Dodgeball movie."

Jing Zhu, sophomore international business major, said the contestants' costumes were her favorite part of the event.

"Watching them play in costume makes it funny," Zhu said. "I liked the Superman one."

Joseph Michael Casey, international business major and participant in the tournament, said he played to help the Honors program's fundraiser for the Red Cross.

"We should support the Honors program every way we can," Casey said. "And it's a noble cause."

Gozum said this is the first year for a Halloween dodgeball tournament, but he hopes it becomes an annual event.

"It started out as something fun for the Honors program to do, but we decided to expand the event so everyone could join," Gozum said.

John Griffin, senior psychology major, said he liked the idea of a dodgeball tournament because it is a good way to get people involved and raise money.

"It's better than setting up a collection booth in the Tiger Den," Griffin said.

Each member of the winning team received "Be Our Guest" coupons, good for a free three-piece meal from Kentucky Fried Chicken, the event's sponsor. Winners of the best costume contest also received coupons.

Breane Coburn, freshman foreign language major, watched the dodgeball tournament from the bleachers above the racquetball court.

"Dodgeball is one of those sports people come to watch just to have fun," Coburn said. "Plus, they're helping people, so it makes it even better."

Proceeds from the tournament will go to the Red Cross, which will use the money to aid victims of last month's Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines.

Gozum likened the typhoon in the Philippines to Hurricane Katrina.

"The capitol city, Manila, was flooded by a typhoon," Gozum said. "A lot of people were killed. Thousands more were displaced. They don't have houses or food."

Freshman Harrison Reed said the tournament was "a good way for the fortunate to help the less fortunate."

"A good person wants to be involved in something like that," Reed said.

Will McGee, senior education major, said the dodgeball tournament was a creative way to raise awareness.

"It's great that we are doing things for people that far away," McGee said. "It's great that we are reaching further out and trying to help more people."