Oozeball

^[1] 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.^[2]

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 will mark 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:

• "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 ^[3]

References

1. ^ http://www.uconnalumni.com/oozeball
2. ^ Big mud on campus Brian Rourke, The Providence Journal,May 1, 2004
3. ^ The Best Of Everything Sports Illustrated April 28, 1997