Sparty On.

Michigan State University won the 2010 MSU Invite, their first in school history. The Spartans came out of Pool A undefeated, knocking off Depaul 12-0 and Bowling Green 4-2. In the finals they faced Western Illinois, whose captain Tim Wohead boldly proclaimed would go undefeated at the MSU Invite, and keep their perfect record intact. WIU got to the championship game by beating both Eastern Michigan and Kentucky in two close matches. However, the Spartans proved to be too much for the Bulldogs to handle, especially the power arms of Andrew Koczara and Andy Malnor. MSU won 7-0 in that final game.

Captain Ian Childs said of his team’s play “I am very happy that we were able to come out 3-0. But we still have a lot of work to do to achieve our overall goal of winning an NCDA title.”

In other games, BGSU was able to shut out Depaul 7-0 and beat Kentucky 3-2 in the third place game. The Falcons may be the most improved team in the league so far this season, and they certainly looked like a possible favorite to win the Ohio Dodgeball Cup this winter. Eastern Michigan got blanked by Kentucky 6-0, but defeated DePaul 3-2 in what was probably the match of the tournament. In that game, DePaul's Mick Cielesz single-handedly took down eight Eagles on his own, which tied up the game at 2-2, before Eastern was able to put away DePaul for good 3-2 with around three minutes left.

- Sam Hiller

1. How many players are returning for your team?
We are looking to return about seven or eight of last year's players.

2. What strengths/weaknesses do you anticipate going into the season?
Our strengths this year are looking to be that we are just more experienced. After Nationals, we learned what we need to improve on and that is something we are going to be focusing on this season.

3. What are the areas you'll look to improve when scouting new players?
This year with recruitment we are starting off early, from the first day of the semester and going from there. We also think that we are going to be more well known around campus through faculty, fliers and word of mouth.

4. What are you goals for this season?
Our goals for this year are to just go out and have fun. We learned at Nationals that if you go out and are just serious, you aren't going to win much.

5. Which teams would you like to play?
We are looking to play more Ohio teams this year, Kent State, Ohio State, maybe some teams in the west, but I think no matter what it's going to be a good season for us.

- Captain Kris Wright

Much like Lost's end in a few weeks, my college dodgeball career officially came to a close last night in several ways. First, we had our inaugural end-of-the-year banquet in the theater room of RedZone, a popular sports bar style restaurant on campus. The room consisted of 19 recliners and a projection screen TV. It's a really sweet setup they got going on. Throw in the fact that it doesn't cost anything to reserve, and I'd been pumped about that night for a while.

Going into last night, I had a couple fears. First, I didn't think we'd have enough people show up to fill all 19 recliners. I also worried that Nick Neiman, who we'd be honoring as season MVP, wouldn't be able to make it. Much to my surprise, when 7 pm rolled around, my players proved me wrong on both counts. Nick showed up and we had every seat in that room filled. It unfolded just how I hoped it would after that. Everyone ate their food, we watched our game tape from Battle of the Bluegrass on the TV and relived highlights from the season, including Luke Gilliam running like a girl from GVSU and getting tagged in both asscheeks for his trouble. I was surprised when 7:30 arrived and it was time for me to speak.

As I walked down to the front, that familiar sense of contentment from Nationals washed over me. I knew that at the moment, I was exactly where I needed to be. Felix and I made our big announcements (announcing new captains, starting a JV team, new jerseys) and then Felix got to talk about his plans for Nationals. And let me tell you, my successor has BIG plans. Monumental plans. Like "this is the greatest dodgeball tournament I've ever been to" plans. I won't detail them here because they'll be posted on the NCDA site later today, but they're awesome.

After detailing his plans, it was time to hand out awards. I like awards. I like rewarding people for doing good work. Not only does it build legitimacy for your organization and camaraderie amongst teammates, it also ensures that those rewarded will keep doing good work because they feel appreciated. Granted, I knew Nick Neiman (MVP) and Andrew Swanson (Rookie of the Year) would keep playing at a high level next season, but they still deserved recognition. We also gave Oscar lookalike awards to Zac and Alex for their work on the podcast. To hear their feelings on my attempt to thank them, listen to Episode Fourteen.

Overall, the night went perfectly. Literally, I've never had something built up in my head turn out so close to what I envisioned. I got hugs from all the guys afterward and promised I'd come see them during the season. I didn't cry. I smiled. I only have happy memories from my time with WKU Dodgeball. There are no regrets from my four years of building this program. Plus, we have Nationals next year. That doesn't equate sadness; it equates pure, unadulterated joy.

The final farewell of the night came in the form of the first podcast recorded without me. I had a writers' meeting for the Talisman and couldn't make it, so Zac, Alex and Felix recorded Episode Fourteen without me. I was nervous to see 1) how many bleep-worthy moments didn't get bleeped AND 2) if they actually talked about dodgeball. Turns out, I had no reason to worry on either count. Zac dropped two eff-bombs (not bad for him) and Nationals got discussed in detail. We even got our first instances of autotune (including a hilarious PSA) and our first song dedication. Thank you Zac. I will try my best to stay "Forever Young," but according to you, I'm already about 100 years behind. But thanks nonetheless.

April 28, 2010 marked the end of my tenure with WKU Dodgeball. While I'm officially out as team president and captain, I know this squad will continue to take up a good chunk of my time. I plan on hanging around and providing advice to Felix as he takes control of the team and has to make some tough roster decisions. My players nicknamed me Yoda during the season (among other nicknames), so I plan on assuming that role fully now. On a night of goodbyes, I'm excited for what the future holds. My team and the NCDA as a whole stands on the cusp of greatness. Now is our time to seize it.

This Wednesday, we're hosting our inaugural (hope you're happy, Heichelbech) end-of-the-year team dinner for dodgeball. We've tried team dinners in the past and had mixed results, but my first two years at the helm have passed by without a celebration of our season. Since this is my last season, what better time to start this new tradition?

I've stated it elsewhere, but I'm a tad bit jealous to be stepping away from my team at this point. I have no doubt WKU Dodgeball sits on the cusp of its best season yet. In addition to hosting Nationals, there are some big changes happening that will make our team more competitive and much better dressed. I won't give too much away (in case my players read this) but just know that 2010-2011 will be a landmark season for WKU's program.

Despite my sadness about leaving the team, the dodgeball gods decided to smile on me this past week. In what was a landmark day for the NCDA as a whole, Aleks Bomis was elected our first-ever commissioner. Along with his election, I was given the somewhat superfluous title of media coordinator. This basically means I handle all of the league's online media and manage the website (i.e. what I already do now). In truth it's no big deal, but having a title that anchors me to this league is nice at this point in my dodgeball career.

In what has become an encouraging trend in recent league history, I've chosen my successor and am completely confident in his ability to lead the team in my stead. NCDA members take note: Felix Perrone will be a superstar in this league. He's got the passion for the game and organizational skills that I had AND he can flat out play. Plus he's handsome- your classic triple threat!

Working at Western's yearbook this past week (the Talisman, which has been around for 70+ years), I thought about how weird it would be for those first editors to see who took their place decades down the road. To know that they helped start something that people would pour their hearts and souls into for generations has to be a truly amazing feeling. Will WKU Dodgeball end up like the Talisman? Only time will tell, but I was getting freaked out thinking about it. Coming back to WKU 30 years down the road, who will have control of our program? Will they even know who I am? Man, this whole legacy thing weirds me out, so I leave you with one final reminder:

Be sure to check out the May issue of Obscure Sports Magazine for my article on Nationals!

Since Lost has returned to form and restored my zeal for life, I thought I'd do some blogging. And since a little birdie told me there's some dodgeball tournament going on this weekend, I think I've found my topic. (I'm joking to cover up the fact that I'm in complete denial this weekend is my last hurrah with Western Dodgeball.) So, for my loyal readers, some thoughts about Nationals:

1. God help our fans who tune into Zac Newton's broadcast this week. I'm thankful Bomis is there to prevent total hell from breaking loose, but to make a Lost reference, the grandfather of the NCDA would have better luck stopping the smoke monster with a twig. Trust me, Newton + road trip + likely alcohol consumption on Saturday night = the Hurricane Katrina of broadcasts. This will not end well. Have you heard the podcast lately? That's Zac on his church behavior. This weekend will be Zac on his Vegas behavior. Dodgeball nation: you have been warned.

2. The captain's meeting is going to be heated with a capital "H." With the message board resembling a political debate recently, I'm starting to feel like there's two separate factions developing within the league. The recent debate about numbers on jerseys really highlighted this rift. On one side, you have those who want the NCDA to become more legitimate and retain its competitive nature at all costs. After paying $100 a year to improve our website, shelling a couple hundred more for the podcast update and firmly defending the opening rush's current format, I think it's clear I come down more on this side. On the other side, we have those who favor maintaining the playground nature of our sport, even if it means sacrificing our growth as league. Jack Attack is the first person I think of who holds this position. He'd take a fun league over a competitive one any day. It's like Team Jacob vs. Team Smokey (for Lost reference #2). Surveying the scene after the captain's meeting will be very interesting.

3. With this being my last year, Western is going for broke. We want a championship. After last year's experience, I've realized what it's going to take to do that given our team's membership. Consequently, I've been experimenting with several different rotations for our Saturday games. We'll also be implementing a strategy that probably won't sit favorably with other teams, but gives us the best chance to win on Sunday. Don't worry, we're not rolling over and playing dead or anything. Let's just say we'll be looking more like Buckeyes during the first day of games.

4. I'll be writing a Nationals recap for Obscure Sports Magazine's May issue. Check it out when the times comes. With any luck, it might garner a couple responses on the magazine's message board.

5. Looking back, this league was one of the best investments I've ever made. I never thought a red rubber ball could come to represent my time in college, but it did. To all the friends I've made during my travels with Wetern's team, you helped shaped my college experience into something special. Thanks for all the memories.

I will now go play "Goodbye" and sob quietly into my pillow. Goodnight dodgeball nation.

I love college dodgeball and writing. I went to Western for the journalism program and ended up discovering an even greater passion for this truly crazy sport. I've often found that when I combine these two loves, magical things happen. That's why I've written columns about dodgeball, class stories about dodgeball, this blog about dodgeball...hell, I even wrote my personal statement for law school about running Western's team. It's like bragging about your new baby - you can't help doing something when you care so much about it.

I care about writing and dodgeball, and I'd like to think people somewhat enjoy the finished product when those two worlds collide. With that being said, I'd like to announce my plans for dodgeball after graduation...drumroll please...I'm writing a book about my college dodgeball experience. Something akin to a memoir with some of my personality to spice it up. My goal is to have it published in five years. Will I achieve that goal? Maybe. But much like my time in the NCDA, I'd rather set the bar high and fail miserably then accomplish something irrelevant. So I'm going for the big time. Keep an eye on Amazon. My Life as a Dodgeball God is coming soon!

Last night, my team played the new-look UofL Cardinals and won 9-1. On a night when I could have handed any of my players the MVP trophy, I knew the real star wasn't wearing the white and red. He was donned in black and covered in sweat with a hand shaking from a grippy throw overload. His Cardinals didn't walk out victorious, but UofL captain Ben Sobczyk left that building the biggest winner.

Let me explain. Ben left WKU last year right when our team was establishing its place in the NCDA. He still loved the game and wanted to remain involved, but the only option at UofL involved reviving a program that had been completely abandoned. He would be starting at the same place I had during my sophomore year- not somewhere I wished my former alternate captain to be. It would take an immeasurable amount of work, several tough losses and a ton of roster turnover, but it could be done. If anyone could do it, I knew Ben could.

It became apparent last fall that Ben's team was coming together slowly and wouldn't be able to play many games this season. Together, we set a goal to have one game in the spring to help his fledging team get some momentum. After working it out with Elizabethtown High School, we decided that game would be the Clash of the Commonwealth, a new rivalry to help raise money for the school's Project Graduation. After much worry and hype, the day arrived and everything was set.

Ben brought about 11 players with him. We gave him 6 volunteer players to make it 17 total. Not too shabby for a team playing its first game to have a bench! Ben was nervous before the game about how his team would play. I told him both teams were going to have fun and that this would be great experience for his young team. Yes, we walked away the victors with a 9-1 win. But I was a little jealous of Ben. He learned a lot about his team last night. And ask any captain who's worked to build his team and they'll tell you- the most exciting part is watching the pieces come together.

It's not about having your team master the grippy throw or become human vacuum cleaners during the first season. Keeping the score close during games would be nice but it's not that crucial, either. For any captain, it's about watching your players learn how to play the game. That means adopting common strategy like cross-court throws and developing better court awareness. It's the little things like blocking for a defenseless teammate or grabbing a ball before it rolls into enemy territory. When your team starts to master the nuances of the game, that's when you feel rewarded as a captain.

It takes five minutes to teach a new player the grippy throw. Helping them develop into a mature dodgeball player is a much more involved process. It takes time, wisdom and patience. Those are three things I know Ben has plenty of. He'll work with his team to develop UofL's signature style and shape his players into seasoned vets that can throw less but stay in the game longer. It took me three years, but I finally did it.

The game tape from Clash of the Commonwealth will be on YouTube soon. I told Ben (and I don't think he believes me), but he's got some talent on that squad. With a core group of 7 guys coming back next year, two of which will be solid alternate captains, all Ben has to do is find some recruits that will love the game like he does. Last night was a great tune-up for my team before Nationals. That's about it. But Ben got to see his team grow, figure out who shares his passion for college dodgeball and lay some groundwork for an exciting second season of UofL Dodgeball.

Now you see why I'm a little jealous?