Attendance at the “Dodge ‘Til You Drop” dodge ball festival may have been down, but the spirits of the competitors were certainly high as students hurled rubber balls at one another across Alumni Field last Friday night.
Students came in teams of six ready to show off their dodge ball prowess. In addition to demonstrating their athleticism, competitors also showed off quite a sense of style. Homemade t-shirts, knee socks and sweatbands were all the rage. Plastic safety goggles and helmets were even donned by the more fashionably health-conscious competitors.
The event was co-sponsored by the Student Alumni Association (SAA) and The Department of Recreation. Like last year, the event consisted of lots of dodgeball, free food, and t-shirt giveaways. However, according to Jackie Mautone, a SAA member, there were approximately 200 less students in attendance this year compared to last.
Mark D’Angilillio ’06, President of SAA said there were roughly 500 students in attendance. According to Jackie Mautone ’08, a SAA member, this is approximately 200 fewer students compared to last year.
Most of the attendees were freshmen. The festivities provided the new students with a school-sponsored excuse to socialize with (and throw balls at) their new classmates on the first weekend night of the school year.
So, despite the lure of free goods and food, why the dwindling turnout? Perhaps the dodge ball craze inspired by the hit movie “Dodgeball” is fading a bit. Patches O’Houlihan’s four “D’s” of dodge ball (dodge, duck, dip, dive and dodge) simply don’t spark the same competitive edge as in ’04. Last year’s event also featured a DJ playing music all night. This year at Alumni Field it was only the hooting and hollering of some very excited dodge ballers that could be heard.
One participant said the lackluster turnout didn’t affect his dodge ball experience.
“I didn’t care that there wasn’t as many people there,” said Mike Meehan ’08, whose team went undefeated all night. “I had a blast Friday night! It was like grade school but better!”
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