Remember back in grade school when dodgeball was the sport of kings? Tech students will get the chance to relive those glory days, this time for some cold, hard cash.The Smashville Dodgeball Challenge presented by the Nashville Predators will be held Sunday, October 25, 2009, at the Hooper Eblen Center from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
It is open to all businesses, civic groups, service clubs, college clubs and teams of individuals.
Jeremy Belk is the Upper Cumberland Senior District Executive for the Middle Tennessee Council, Boy Scouts of America. He says right now that the event needs publicity.
“This is something brand new for us,” Belk said. “Everyone and their brother is doing a golf tournament, and we thought this might bring in a different demographic that hasn’t been tapped yet.”
Cookeville is one of five cities hosting the Challenge, along with Nashville, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, and Lebanon.
Each location will host 64 teams in round-robin play, followed by a match-play tournament.
The winning team will receive a $1,000 cash prize and the coveted traveling trophy “The Golden Baller”.
Team uniforms or t-shirts are encouraged, and the best dressed team at each location will win a $250 cash prize.
“We really want folks to be able to come out, act goofy, and have a good time while helping an important part of their local community,” Belk said. “The Boy Scouts work hard to develop boys into the best kind of men. Good, caring, responsible, community minded husbands, fathers, and leaders. This year has been tough for many Non-Profit organizations, and this is our attempt to gain attention and support from a younger, leaner, and perhaps a bit more energetic section of our community.”
Civic groups, church groups, recreational sports teams and/or anyone who can round up a group of friends is invited to participate.
The $300 per team entry fee is entirely tax deductable and all proceeds from the inaugural event will benefit the youth programs of the Middle Tennessee Council and Boy Scouts of America.
All participants are also eligible for special discount pricing on tickets to upcoming Nashville Predators games.
Still, the main point of emphasis for Belk and the Boy Scouts is getting publicity for the event to ensure the best possible turnout.
“The thing we need now is publicity,” Belk said. “This is the first year we have tried this event, and so no one knows about it yet. We also have posters, business cards, drink coasters, and other promotional items that we are trying to get out into the community.”
Anyone interested in forming or sponsoring should contact Belk at jbelk@mtcbsa.org or (931) 252-5306.
