Christmas Dodgeball Tournament!

Music pounds. People cheer. Balls whiz through the air.

In some universities football is a religion.

In the University of the Nations, dodgeball is.

(Note: that may be an exaggeration.)

While this campus does not glorify the air they breathe, or treasure the sweat that drips off from their foreheads, or blood that falls (as some universities and high schools are known to do - if you don't believe me read John Grisham's Bleachers) there are a few famous people out there on the court, some somebodies every dodgeball fan should know. 

Kenny Jackson. Fondly named "the voice of dodgeball" a YWAM dodgeball tournament wouldn't be the same without this guy commentating.

David Jackson. His son. Easy to recognize because of his afro, David's known for his trademark spinning throw. Although a few people have caught it, the best thing to do is to stay out of the ball's way, as I learned the hard way.

Dwayne Klahr. Not as easy to recognize as other people mentioned here, Dwayne is a behind-the-scenes person. He's the organizer of the dodgeball tournaments, and makes the lists of which team should play another. He also sets up the chairs and tables before the event, and even referees every now and then.

Josh Kuperus. Not yet well known, Josh has great potential (and an ego to match it) and is known for a fairly hard throw and good dodging skills. Last seen playing with a white shirt and golden halo 'round his head in a team simply known as "Da Old Guys".

Anyway, yesterday night the first Christmas dodgeball tournament was held. The Ohana court had a few decorations, and instead of the usual rock and roll music, Christmas music was blasted over the speakers instead. Imagine "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" being sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks, and you have an idea what our night was like.

It was a good night though. Excitement was up. Hype was high. Adrenaline was runnin'. People were cheering themselves hoarse.

And, all in all, my team did well. We won two games, and lost two games to the teams that made it into the finals. A good night. And that's not too shabby because the same team didn't win a single game in the last tournament we played in. I'm convinced it's the name that did it. 

Those "Old Guys" decided to show them whippersnappers how it's done.