This weekend, dodgeball is not just a game for children during recess — it’s a chance for UF students to become a part of “The Guinness Book of World Records.”
The Inter-Residence Hall Association will host what it hopes will be the world’s largest dodgeball fight on Sunday at Flavet Field. The event is free and open to students, faculty and staff. The group hopes to get about 2,000 participants, said Sean Johnson, president of IRHA.
The University of California, Irvine currently holds the record with 1,745 participants, said Adam Lindsley, the event’s co-director.
Check-in for the competition begins at 3 p.m. and participants must bring their Gator 1 Cards.
When players arrive, they will be assigned to a team, either orange or blue, and will not be allowed to leave until the game is over. This rule will help ensure that IRHA breaks the record.
The event will cost IRHA $2,600, which has come from several area businesses, Lindsley said.
The 600 dodgeballs used in the fight will go on sale for $5 after the event, and all proceeds will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County, he said. About 150 balls will be given to the children to use after school.
In 2008, the organization attempted to break the world record for the largest water balloon fight but failed. The event attracted about 600 people, 300 participants short of breaking the record.
But IRHA members have been working hard during the past seven months to reach their goal this time.
“We’re really, really close,” Lindsley said. “So close that every single person that comes makes the difference.”
