Senior Airman Thomas Hull, of the 50th Contracting Squadron, lobs a dodgeball at an unsuspecting Red Team member during the 40-hour dodgeball marathon at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., March 23, 2012. The marathon raised more than $1,000 for the Air Force Assistance Fund. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)
Senior Airman Samual Weaver, of the 50th Space Communications Squadron, gets ready to launch a dodgeball at 1st. Lt. Doug Bates, of the 50th Mission Support Group, at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo., March 22, 2012. The two Airmen were on opposing teams throughout a 40-hour dodgeball marathon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Bill Evans)
by Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
50th Space Wing Public Affairs
3/29/2012 - SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Twenty-five jammed fingers, 10 rolled ankles, at least 20 blisters, numerous sore shoulders and a world record.
Twenty Schriever Air Force Base members got all that and more after playing dodgeball for more than 40 consecutive hours March 22-23, beating the Guinness Book of World Record for the longest dodgeball marathon by eight hours and raising more than $1,000 for the Air Force Assistance Fund.
Battling on the dodgeball court for 40 hours straight is no small feat, according to Col. James Ross, the 50th Space Wing commander. Doing so required all four pillars of Comprehensive Airman Fitness to accomplish.
"These Airmen certainly displayed the social aspect by getting the entire wing to rally around them to complete this undertaking," said Ross. "They displayed the mental and spiritual (aspects) to make it through the entire 40 hours, and they certainly displayed the physical aspect most of all."
What makes a person decide to spend the next 40 hours of their life playing dodgeball? For most of the 20 players, raising money for the AFAF was a big motivator.
"The AFAF is a great tool to give back to Airmen; Airmen helping Airmen at its best," said Senior Airman Allen Orozcocasteneda, of the 50th Comptroller Squadron. "I couldn't think of a better cause, and of course I wanted to set a world record."
For Master Sgt. Cliff Wagner, of the 50th Security Forces Squadron and the most senior enlisted person on the court, the challenge of playing with the younger guys drove him.
"This was a personal challenge for me," said Wagner. "I really wanted to see if I could compete with a bunch of young guys. I also wanted to help out the organizations we were contributing money to. I really believe in those organizations."
To qualify for the record, the 20 team members had to be on the basketball court the entire 40 hours, save the five minutes per hour break time they were allotted. Schriever AFB volunteers were on hand throughout the duration, setting up cots, providing food and, most importantly, moral support for the players.
That support proved to be the one thing that got the players through the 40 hours.
"(Participating) seemed like a good idea at the time, and then it actually started and I realized that it wasn't a good idea at all," said Staff Sgt. Neil Kozack, of the 50th Space Communications Squadron. "I hit my wall 12 hours into the event. We still had more than 24 hours to go. I was extremely sore and I knew that I wasn't going to get a second wind anytime soon."
Kozack said that his team support and the wing support is what ultimately got him and his teammates through the event.
"The second to last hour I was sick and I seriously thought that was it," said Kozack. "Then more folks started showing up and the adrenaline kicked in, and I was going like it was the first hour."
"The people helped me power through It," said Orozcocastenda. "It's a team event; our team members got each of us through. We picked each other up. My wife was a big support as well. She was here with me most of the time. The squadron came out multiple times. When people started showing up, the adrenaline would kick in and get me through."
The experience is something none of the players will soon forget.
"It was horrible and fun, but I would not do it again," laughed Wagner. "It took a lot of physical and mental toughness to get through it, but the cause was well worth it. Anytime we can do something that helps our fellow Airmen in need, (it) is worth it."
Airmen were able to make cash donations or pledge money based on a variety of factors. Pledges ranged from number of hits taken to hits made to total number of hours played. With 40 hours of playing time, the donations were abundant. The teams played a total of 859 games with the Black Team edging out the Red Team 440 wins to 419.
"The Black Team won the competition, but really the entire base won," said Ross. "I'm so proud of all the support -- the families', coworkers', leaders', volunteers' and sponsors' support. This is just another example of how Team Schriever can come together and excel at anything they put their minds to."
Continuous video of the event will be sent to the Guinness Book of World Records for validation before Schriever AFB is officially awarded the record.
Comments
4/4/2012 10:14:24 AM ET I guess I received a completely different message when I read this article. I picked up on a wing that came together to support their own in pursuit of a goal that many could not accomplish. At the same time they raised awareness about the Air Forces premier charity that takes care of their fellow Airmen daily. The amount of money raised is negligible but the exposure and camaraderie is immeasurable. Sprains jams aches and pains happen countless times across the AF during PT intramural sports and sometimes around the house but not many occur in the name of AFAF. Well done Schriever AFB Dodgeballers. Congrats on the World Record
Maj Bo Wilkerson, TX
4/3/2012 11:28:31 AM ET @JG Buzanowski - Joseph shouldn't you be writing a story about laying out next to the pool or having your three alchoholic drinks or going downtown at your deployed location You are truly roughing up at ADAB
PA enthusiast, Not Al Udied AB
4/3/2012 11:18:43 AM ET Were these people on leave Of course not active duty can do charitable events during duty hours. Don't worry what's left of the civil service corps will pick up the slack for you I'm so happy for all the injuries sustained during this total waste of time and tax dollars. I hope the AF Audit Agency is tracking lost duty time due to dodgeball injuries. We've become the laughing stock of the US military thanks Schriever
Too busy for Dodgeball..., Peterson AFB
4/2/2012 8:37:10 PM ET I sorry but wait a waste of man hours 800 man hour for 1000 dollars. And all those injuries aless it should help with there VA claims in a few years. Aless most job on that base a sit down jobs so they should be able to do their job on light duty. Back to the 800 man hours there are so many projects they could have used their time on. Wounded Soldiers helping Habitat for humanity maybe found some park in the local area that needed cleaning and fixing up. So many places 800 mans could have been used better. The 1 Sgt's from that base should hang their head in shame for allowing this waste of time and manpower.
Bruce, San Antonio TX
4/2/2012 12:30:17 PM ET I think had the wing chosen to do this over the weekend vs. on a Thurs-Friday you might see less criticism but then again given that many of the wing troops work shifts that could have been their weekend. But perception is usually reality.
JAFSO, COS CO
4/2/2012 1:23:59 AM ET 20 people x 40 hours is 800 man-hours. They raised more than 1000 for the AFAF. That's 1.25 an hour even if you don't count the missed work due to the injuries and the additional volunteers time. Good use of time folks. The Wing Commander should be reprimanded for such stupidity instead of an article being written on it.
Maj, SWA
3/31/2012 3:44:06 AM ET If you can troll a good news story about Airmen raising money for a great charity and gaining recognition for their wing while engaging in a marathon athletic event ... well you obviously missed the point ...
JG Buzanowski, Southwest Asia
3/30/2012 9:19:51 PM ET This is news If these yahoos can set this record and take that much time off are they really beneficial to the Air Force Those who bust their behind every day would probably provide a resounding NO Looking for savings AF there you go
MBB, JB Andrews
3/30/2012 8:52:52 PM ET First of all where are these airman's reflective belts Someone could DEFINITELY get hurt here I can only imagine the safety reports generated from 40 hours of continuous dodgeball.Secondly I believe that we should put these airmen up for an IMMEDIATE decoration. Meritorious Service or at the very least a Commendation medal. This is bringing great credit to the Air ForceAIR POWER
Snuffy, The Real World
3/30/2012 5:56:01 PM ET If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball......creative way to raise money.....
Nate, dodge
3/30/2012 4:17:57 PM ET 40 hrs to raise 1000 good job but it sounds like you lost the 1000 dollars in lost man hrs with 10 rolled ankles. If all the players donated 50 each im sure more then 1000 would of been raised and the lost man hrs never would of been donated to the 10 rolled ankles.
J.J. Jones, CA
3/29/2012 6:20:34 PM ET If you can dodge duty for 40 hours you can dodge a ball
