Oozeball
Encyclopedia
OOzeball is an annual mud volleyball
tournament, a tradition at many universities that originated at the University of Connecticut
in 1984. OOzeball is volleyball played in 8 inches of mud and is often staged as a fundraising event. It is generally held during Spring Weekend, which is the weekend before the last week of class, although this has changed recently.
Today, OOzeball is organized by the Student Alumni Association
, or SSA.
Players are forced by the mud to adapt a different style of play than other forms of volleyball, with more "leaning and lunging" as opposed to running in the deep mud. At UConn, each year over 1,000 players and spectators come out to watch the tournament. 2010 marked the 27th UConn OOzeball, making it the longest running tournament of its kind in the nation. OOzeball has also been recognized three times by Sports Illustrated
:
falling during the "real" Spring Weekend. However, temperature in the upper 30s forced the event to be cancelled early, with at least nine students experiencing hypothermia
. The student body was displeased with the new date, and it is unknown if it will be repeated in 2012.
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
tournament, a tradition at many universities that originated at the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
in 1984. OOzeball is volleyball played in 8 inches of mud and is often staged as a fundraising event. It is generally held during Spring Weekend, which is the weekend before the last week of class, although this has changed recently.
Today, OOzeball is organized by the Student Alumni Association
UConn Alumni Association
The UConn Alumni Association is a nation-wide, non-profit 501 organization funded by membership dues, individual donations and corporate sponsorships/affinity program partners. The Alumni Center is located in the college town of Storrs, Connecticut...
, or SSA.
Players are forced by the mud to adapt a different style of play than other forms of volleyball, with more "leaning and lunging" as opposed to running in the deep mud. At UConn, each year over 1,000 players and spectators come out to watch the tournament. 2010 marked the 27th UConn OOzeball, making it the longest running tournament of its kind in the nation. OOzeball has also been recognized three times by Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
:
- "Best Mud Volleyball in the Country" – SI Best of College Sports
- 33 on the "Top 100 Things Gotta Do Before You Graduate: No Matter The Cost" – SI On Campus
- "Best Use of Dirt" – SI On Campus
Date Change
In 2011, in an effort to curb the Spring Weekend partying and violence, the University declared that all University-sanctioned events were to be held the weekend before the traditional date. Officially, this was in part due to a late EasterEaster
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
falling during the "real" Spring Weekend. However, temperature in the upper 30s forced the event to be cancelled early, with at least nine students experiencing hypothermia
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions which is defined as . Body temperature is usually maintained near a constant level of through biologic homeostasis or thermoregulation...
. The student body was displeased with the new date, and it is unknown if it will be repeated in 2012.