Clarkson holds dodgeball tournament for Make-A-Wish Foundation

POTSDAM — Hundreds of Clarkson University students on the cusp of adulthood had an opportunity to revisit sixth-grade gym class Sunday afternoon.

Clarkson’s Student Association organized the second “Dodging for Dreams” dodgeball tournament on Hantz Turf Field to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Student government officials estimated they raised $500 from the event for the organization.

Clarkson students started the tournament last year to break the world record for a dodgeball tournament of about 1,700 participants. While they fell well short of that goal both last year and this year, organizers said the event is becoming one of the student body’s primary fundraisers.

As the horn blew to begin the tournament, about 100 students on each end of the field charged toward the center to pick up one of 100 balls lined up in a row. Some chose to hurl the gym balls high into the air in hopes of striking an unsuspecting victim, while others took a low-throw approach. Still others, such as sophomore Stephanie C. Baver, hid behind her fellow students to stay in the game and avoid being hit.

The tournament coincided with the end of warm weather and midterm, a time typically devoted to stressing over projects and exams. Ms. Baver, a sophomore electrical engineering student, said the event gave her and her friends a chance to blow off steam and take a break from the usual Sunday routine of studying.

“It’s a good stress reliever to just throw things,” she said.

Little thought has to go into throwing a ball, added her friend, Mary G. Adams. It’s a welcome change from the usual academic grind of an engineering student, not to mention worries about careers and the future.

“We’re thinking all of the time,” Ms. Adams said.

The event reminded junior Nicole R. Johnson of playing dodgeball in elementary school. It was one of her favorite sports back then. As she has grown older, she has had fewer opportunities to keep playing it, but was glad to pick it up again for a good cause.

Michael W. Welch, student association president, said the unusual fundraiser fit the university’s motto of defying convention.

Engineering schools often carry the stigma of being all work and no play, he said.

“I think it’s refreshing,” he said.

University President Anthony G. Collins praised the event from the sidelines.

“It’s for a great cause. It’s a lot of fun. You couldn’t get a better combination,” Mr. Collins said. “This is all part of thinking differently to create solutions to different problems.”