More than 1,000 students woke up early on Saturday morning to play in the mud.
For the 24th year in a row, 128 teams of current students, alumni and members of the community participated in Oozfest, the largest collegiate mud volleyball tournament in the US. Participants played in the spirit of this year's theme "Croozin For An Oozin."
Last year's winner "Team With Their Crutch" took third place while "Muffin Checkers" came in second place. First place this year went to team "Knight of Knab." All three teams were awarded with trophies and official Oozfest shirts, while the first-place team also won free registration for next year's tournament and individual $40 certificates to The College Store.
On the morning of the game, the Getzville Fire Department transformed St. Rita's Lane on campus into the playing grounds.
"Oozfest consists of some really good spirited players (and) a lot of mud," said Brian Fleck, co-director of Oozfest and a member of Oozfest sponsor the UB Alumni Board. "Everyone looks like they're having a great time, even when they're not playing games. Everyone seems to want to splash around in the mud."
Besides playing volleyball in the mud, teams occupied themselves with costumes during the occasion.
Adam Kraus, a senior electrical engineering major, wore matching gladiator outfits with his team.
"This is my first year and I think it's unbelievable. I regret not doing this any years before," Kraus said.
Many students discovered the fun of mud volleyball during Saturday's games. Meaghan Stronz, a junior psychology and sociology major who also participated in Oozfest for the first time, came to the game in bright pink spandex and angel wings.
"My friends who played before thought it would be a good idea to dress up and try to be different," Stronz said. "I'm sad I didn't play for my first two years. I will definitely be playing next year."
Karl Schmidt, a senior exercise science major and an experienced Oozfest player, thought the game was absolutely amazing because of the number of people who showed up this year.
"I can't believe how many people come out... just the fact that there are more teams that want to play but they can't because of the 128 team limit, it just shows how many people wanted to come out and play in a great event," Schmidt said.
The players that participated signed up as early as November for a spot in the tournament. The winners receive a trophy and gift certificates to local Buffalo restaurants, but winning did not seem to be a top priority on the player's minds.
Mackenzie Naum, a freshman dance major, was really happy she made it to Oozfest this year and thinks it wasn't as intimidating as she thought it would be.
"Even though it might sound intimidating, or you may think playing in the mud is gross, it's actually really fun and you're in college - why not do it?" Naum said.
Many students came to the game to relieve the anxiety of the end of the semester.
"This event is a good way to relieve stress from finals week. It was good to see it all come together and we're happy the weather held out this year," said DiMonique George, a junior exercise science major and vice president of membership for the USAB.
Each team played at least two games of mud volleyball, received breakfast, lunch, a team photo, a T-shirt and a bag of goodies from the Oozfest sponsors.
The all-day event also featured food, music from the UB student-run radio station WRUB, a performance by the Buffalo Chips, a water balloon toss, tug o' war and many more contests with prizes.
Oozfest will give some proceeds back into next year's tournament and to the J. Scoot Fleming Scholarship, which is the only student-to-student scholarship given out at UB. The scholarship honors those who have demonstrated positive leadership qualities.
This year's court sponsors were Student Life, UB Alumni Association, The College Store, Santora's Phase II, Villa's at Chestnut Ridge, University Village at Sweethome, Campus Dining and Shops, and the Student Association.
Next year's Oozfest is set for April 25, 2009.
Additional reporting from staff writer Svetlana Lysker.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
