Dodgeball is swiftly gaining popularity across the country, and now it has found its home at Tufts. Anyone who has been to the gym recently has most likely noticed the numerous flyers featuring Ben Stiller flying through the air to make a diving catch to advertise the sport. The new intramural league, founded by freshmen Chris Severino and Jordan Thomas, is a testament to the growing popularity of dodgeball.
The rules of the game are simple: dash across the floor and avoid getting hit by balls while simultaneously hurling your own dodgeball at someone from the opposing team in front of you. This elementary school staple is now more popular among young adults, as it is a fairly aggressive sport. According to Fox Sports, adult leagues are forming all over the country with an outdoor championship each year in Chicago.
Severino attributes his inspiration for the club to Ben Stiller's hit comedy "Dodgeball" which embraces the humorous aspects of the sport, as well as the fact that the sport has been kept under the radar for so long. According to the National Dodgeball Federation, the movie has brought a lot of publicity to the sport, especially from college students.
"I think the movie was a big inspiration for us creating the intramural sport," Severino said. "[Thomas] and I both agreed that it would be great if we could play it at Tufts."
Severino and Thomas contacted the intramural sports department and held their first dodgeball game just one week later. There was a spectacular turnout, with 65 people showing up the first day. Currently, anyone can come on Thursday nights in the Carzo Cage at 8 p.m. and participate. Severino hopes the growing interest in dodgeball will make it a legitimate team sport.
"We want people to come so we can set up a league," he said. "I am thinking this will happen in three or four weeks."
Some people may be wary of playing due to the violent nature of the game. After all, large objects are hurled at rapid velocities during a dodgeball match. However, the balls are soft and players are aware that the game involves getting hit.
"Everyone plays under the impression of eventually getting hit by a ball, so everyone is usually aware and alert so they don't get hurt," Severino said.
Dodgeball is off to a smashing start, and online sign-ups for official teams will begin shortly.
Here are the latest updated results in other IM sports. In Volleyball, four sets of games have been played, and there are only two remaining until playoffs. So far, Big Freshie, E-Men 2.0, and the Isotopes are continuing to dominate over their competition as they have a perfect 4-0 record. Puerto Rican DT is in second with a 3-1 record. Huang, Olmo, and Fletcher are 2-1. C-Mike, H3, Giannattsio, and TUFTS each have one win.
In the Monday Night Indoor Soccer League, Dem Apples and The Veterans are tied for first with a 3-1 record. FC International and Jug A Wines each are 1-3. So far in newly formed Wednesday Night Outdoor League, the JV Allstars, Rufio, Good Morning and Zeta Psi won their first games on Oct. 6.
