For those who enjoyed eating mud pies in the first grade and would like to brush up on their volleyball skills, Oozfest season can't get here fast enough.
Sign-ups have begun for the April 24 competition and organizers recommend that interested students register as soon as possible since space is limited.
Now in its 20th season, Oozfest is one of the largest mud-volleyball competitions across the nation, according to 2004 co-chair Rachel Nashett, a sophomore environmental studies and political science major.
"This is going to be even bigger and better than last year," said co-chair Ruth Kleinman, a junior psychology and sociology double major.
Originally designed as a stress-reliever for students before finals, the University Student Alumni Board's Oozfest has become one of UB's time-honored student-run traditions.
Because this is Oozfest's 20th anniversary, the theme is "Almost Legal" and organizers are considering a number of fitting activities including root beer pong. Tim Horton's is one of this year's biggest sponsors, and DJs and MCs from radio station WKSE Kiss 98.5 will keep the music bumping, Kleinman said.
In order to gear up for the event, the University Student Alumni Board is sponsoring a t-shirt design contest. The winning design will be featured on the Oozfest t-shirts every contestant will receive, and the winning team's registration fee will be waived.
The deadline for the t-shirt contest is March 22nd at 2 p.m., and all students can participate by submitting an 8"x11" design that is appropriate and relates to the "Almost Legal" theme. Submissions can be turned in at 109 Allen Hall.
This year's attendance is expected to be especially high, with 1,000 players and volunteers and an equal, if not bigger, number of spectators, according to Nashett.
"This event has always been extremely popular with the students at UB," said Nashett. "We're just glad that we can put it on and increase the community here at UB."
Sign-up forms are available in all of the area offices on campus as well as on the University Student Alumni Board website, www.alumni.buffalo.edu/usab. The final deadline for submitting forms is Friday, April 2 at 3 p.m., and there will be sign-up tables in the Student Union before the deadline.
Space is available for 128 teams, with six to eight people per team. The $120 per team fee includes breakfast, lunch, t-shirts, and any prizes that team members might win. All proceeds will benefit student scholarships given by the student alumni board, according to Kleinman.
