STRIKE’S dodgeball team wins new event

Photo By Jared M Houke | Two Strike soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), pose with Command Sgt. Maj. Alonzo J. Smith, command sergeant major of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell, after winning the first ever dodge ball tournament event during the Week of the Eagles, Aug. 15. The soldiers dressed in colorful outfits during the 3-day competition.  

FORT CAMPBELL, KY, UNITED STATES

08.15.2012

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

By Spc. Jared Houke
2nd BCT, 101st ABN DIV (ASSLT)

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - The Week of the Eagles has been a Fort Campbell tradition for over 70 years. This tradition brings not only soldiers, but also their family members and Veterans of the Screaming Eagle family as well. The events started in 1970’s to build the cohesion of soldiers. Over that span, the events have evolved not just for soldier participation, but also former Screaming Eagles and family members alike. The week is a highlight for some.

“It’s pretty awesome, said Pfc. Alan Roach, an infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). “It gets you out of the company to have fun.”

In its infancy, the new event of dodge ball has been added to the Week of the Eagles, here in Fort Campbell. Originating in Africa over 200-years ago, the game first started when tribesmen would throw large rocks that would try and incapacitate or injure the attacking skirmishers. Much different from how it is played today. The game of dodge ball now plays a big role in the bringing of cohesion and building team skills.

“Dodge ball is very important because it’s a huge team sport, said Private 1st Class Phillip Seward, an infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. “I joined the team because it’s fun.”

The dodge ball tournament is played over a three-day span of time, beginning Aug. 13 and the finals being played on the Aug. 15. There is only one team that will take the glory and the bragging rights for their brigade.

“We are definitely going to win, we’re bringing this to 2nd Brigade,” said Private 1st Class Alan Roach also with Company B, after defeating the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade in the semifinals by a score of 2-0. "Strike is going to win the dodge ball tournament.”

The game starts off with a blow of a whistle and two teams, eight on each, go head to head. If a player fails to catch a ball, that player is knocked out. When the opposing team hits a player with a ball, regardless of where on the body, the player is out. The team with personnel still standing at the end of the fight are the victors. The team with the best score out of three games advances. The dodge ball tournament is a new and permanent event to the Week of the Eagles, with soldiers, past, present, and family members to watch the cohesion and traditions of the Screaming Eagles way of life.

“It brings everyone together pretty well, said Spc. Justin Baylee an infantryman with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, after his team won the Dodge ball tournament. “It brought not only the people from the company together, but the battalion as well.”

• Date Taken: 08.15.2012
• Date Posted: 08.16.2012 11:33
• Story ID: 93326
• Location: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US