» By Chaseton Donahoe
Staff Writer
The Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority at APSU held its third annual Balls to the Walls Dodgeball Tournament to raise money for the Special Olympics on Saturday, April 6, at the Memorial Health Building.
The dodgeball tournament’s participants were separated into three divisions, mens, womens, and co-ed. Many different organizations had teams that participated.
The fraternities and sororities on campus, Middle College, the Hispanic Cultural Center and Hertz Rent-a-Car all had teams. The teams consisted of anywhere from seven to 10 players each.
The Hertz Rent-a-Car team won the men’s tournament, Chi Omega won the women’s tournament, and the Hispanic Cultural Center won the co-ed tournament.
According to event organizer Beth Lee, the tournament went great this year as it has for the past two years.
The dodgeball tournament raised over $2,300 All proceeds will go to the Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults who have mental disabilities.
“There are so many philanthropies that we could donate to,” Lee said. “The Special Olympics is one that we all love. It’s a wonderful feeling when you see the faces of kids light up, and participating in sporting events.”
The Special Olympics’ mission is to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people, according to the official Special Olympics website.
Special Olympics events provide sports training and athletic competitions for the mentally disabled, and provide opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
According to their official website, The Special Olympics were first held in 1968, and today, thousands of its events are held year round and all over the world.
APSU’s ASA also supports other philanthropies besides the Special Olympics. Including the S. June Smith Center, which helps children with developmental needs, Girls on the Run, which promotes physical fitness and confidence in young girls, and the Phoenix, Alpha Sigma Alpha’s quarterly publication.
The annual Area 12 Special Olympics will be held on Thursday, April 18, at APSU Governors Stadium at 9 a.m.
