Western Courier

Issue date: 8/17/07 Section: News

Media Credit: File Photo

As Macomb's bravest pump gallon upon gallon of water into a tilled dirt court, students will gather to test their mettle against each other in one of the largest student-attended events of the year: Mud Volleyball.

During the games, life and limb are sacrificed for teammates who have just met each other. Cleanliness is a word dared not spoken, and fun, careless abandon becomes the theme for two days as students play the standard game of volleyball up to their shins in mud.

"It's a great opportunity to get involved. Since it's the first weekend of the (school) year, you can meet new people and have fun," said Joseph Anderson, graduate assistant in charge of the tournament. "(Plus), it is a chance to play in the mud."

The upcoming tournament will mark its 6th anniversary. Mud Volleyball was brought to Western Illinois University by Matt Bierman, Assistant Director of Residential Facilities and Administration, as a graduate assistant. He learned about the alternative sport while attending Ball State University.

"It started as something fun to get students together and it kind of turned into the culmination of opening week," Bierman said.

This year's theme of "Mudapalooza" is taken from the large rock music festival, Lollapalooza, which takes place over a three-day period annually in Chicago. Anderson is hoping the name will reflect the grander scale of events taking place this year.

"We are doing a relay race, a Baggo tournament and a water balloon catch," Anderson said. "Our goal is to make it bigger than it's been in past years."

Students interested in participating can pick up registration forms in any residence hall or at the Spencer Student Recreation Center Aug. 20. Participants need to fill out the forms and return them with the registration fee of $20 to the Bayliss information desk. Profits of the event will be given to the Macomb Fire Department.

"We've always given the profits to the fire department," Bierman said. "We needed them to water down the courts, so it's a mutually beneficial thing."

Anyone who wishes to get down and dirty must register as soon as possible. There are 176 team openings, and last year all spots were filled quickly.

Several corporate sponsors have donated different items for the event. Domino's has donated monetarily and will be selling pizza at the event, while Pepsi will be giving away liquid refreshments during the two days. Sodexho will also be serving food at the tournament.

Play will begin at 10 a.m. on Aug. 25 and will continue on Aug. 26.

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