Forget Penn versus Harvard -- this weekend, the title-deciding match on everyone's mind was the Scoregasms versus the Jew Crew.
Saturday afternoon in Hutchinson Gymnasium marked the commencement of Penn's first dodgeball tournament, which was organized as a required fundraising project for the Wharton Management 100 class.
This particular Management 100 group -- Team Phi Slamma Jamma, according to group members -- hosted the tournament to benefit the organization Rebuilding Together, which renovates and preserves houses for low-income families.
Wharton freshman and Phi Slamma Jamma member Atthena Breitton described the tournament as "a huge success."
The team raised over $1,000 from entry fees and the sale of raffle tickets alone, with over $500 in additional donations.
While many teams competed, the final match was between the Scoregasms, captained by College freshman Rachel Mowry, and the Jew Crew, led by Wharton freshman Zack Weinberg. The Scoregasms, with four of their six members on the Penn football team, emerged victorious, winning New Balance gear.
"We were happy to be there," Weinberg said, "but disappointed that we lost to the football team in the finals."
"We want a rematch," he added, mentioning he would be interested in the creation of an intramural dodgeball league.
Teams comprising at least six members paid $10 per person to play. Raffle prizes ranged from 76ers tickets to athletic gear -- all donated, which allowed 100 percent of the proceeds to go toward Rebuilding Together.
Breitton commented that Rebuilding Together approached the group and actually suggested the idea of a dodgeball tournament, but ultimately left it up to the team to decide.
"We decided on dodgeball, because it was more exotic," Breitton said.
And exotic certainly describes the event -- over 20 teams registered to play, with names ranging from the Rice Rockets to Fat Choade. Many players wore homemade uniforms, and sat on the sidelines cheering while waiting to play.
Three games were played at once, with each game comprising three matches. The winner of the best-of-three series moved up to the next round.
Some Phi Slamma Jamma members acted as referees, while others registered arriving players.
Team membership was made up largely of males, with relative numbers from each class participating.
Team Weaselmania had four seniors and two juniors, who arrived sporting matching pink headbands.
"We wouldn't look like we were taking it too seriously," team member and College junior Peter Long said, referring to the headbands.
Despite the jovial attitude of the players, the teams turned serious for game time, following the rules specified in the film Dodgeball.
Management 100 is an introductory class that requires students to split into small groups to plan and orchestrate projects designed to raise money for charities that benefit the Philadelphia community, while acquiring skills useful in the business profession.
