Photo courtesy of ASUCI
It seemed as if all eyes were on us as news stations and Guinness Book officials stood close by. 4,979 was the number of the day. While it may seem like just a number to most, this number represented much more to UCI students. This was the number to beat, and the reason why thousands of Anteaters made their way to the ARC fields on Tuesday, September 25, anxious to reclaim the dodgeball world record title stolen the year prior by Alberta, Canada. In true Anteater fashion, our goal this year was to not only reclaim the world record, but to take it back once and for all by getting over 6,000 participants.
Before the gates opened at two p.m., students began forming lines that stretched for what seemed like miles. The anticipation was building with each passing minute as more and more people made their way on to the field. While waiting, students were overheard sharing stories and strategies from last year. There was a rumor going around that the blue team always dominates and that things can get pretty dangerous if you don’t keep your eye on the ball, or balls in this instance. As game time neared closer, students furiously filled out their waivers and entered the turnstiles that would keep track of the official headcount. A clear rivalry began to emerge as students declared their teams by choice of either yellow or blue shirts. Anteaters also put on their best game faces by heading over to the spirit tent for face painting and temporary tattoos. Vendors like Rockstar and 5 Hour Energy kept the momentum alive by handing out free beverages to all participants. Live music got the crowd even more fired up as the two teams divided and all the official rules were read. It became clear that this wasn’t about to be your typical schoolyard dodgeball game.
As the countdown commenced, brave students took to the front line as the first shots were fired. Other not-so-brave students, like myself, retreated for some safety, preferring to watch the chaos ensue rather than be a part a part of it. Clear strategies began to emerge as the blue team chose to simply bombard the yellow team, while the yellow team preferred singular, targeted shots. After over two hours of all-out warfare, the blue team emerged victorious and the moment everyone had been waiting for had arrived. The news was in; we had not only broken the world record once again, but shattered it with an astonishing 6,084 participants. If this number alone doesn’t fill you with Anteater pride, then I don’t know what else will. UCI made it clear to Canada that we weren’t going down without a shot, or a zot for that matter!