Ready, set...dodgeball
Honors program hosts dodgeball tournament with Halloween theme
By: Elliot Wardlow
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: News
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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.