Volleyball players are preparing to get dirty on Ball State University's campus to benefit the Muncie Mission Ministries.
The field next to Carmichael Hall will be torn up and hosed down to transform the grassy area into mud pits for the 21st Annual Mud Volleyball Tournament.
The competition will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All students are invited to attend the free event hosted by Johnson Complex.
The tournament originated from a residence hall director more than two decades ago and has continued thanks to the enthusiasm of students on Ball State's campus.
Last year's volleyball tournament included 97 competing teams and raised $2,700 for the Ronald McDonald House in Indianapolis.
Senior music composition major David Wilson is the student chairman for the tournament. He said the Muncie Mission Ministries was chosen as this year's recipient because of the high poverty level of Delaware County.
"We wanted to do something in the community, and Muncie Mission does a lot to help out the poverty problem," he said.
Luke Donohoo, Johnson Complex residence hall director, organizes the fundraiser. He said the bracket is designed to hold up to 128 teams. This goal hasn't been obtained in several years, but Donohoo said he hopes to reach that number this year.
"With entry fees from that many teams we could raise between $2,000 to $3,000 for the mission," he said. "Along with raising money I'm hoping to make it a fun time for all involved and to bring the Ball State community together."
With an abundance of mud and a DJ for the event, the prospect of having a good time should be easily reached by participants. Students come to the event for the fun of competing instead of the typical appeal of a reward Donohoo said.
Senior accounting major James Todd said he has competed in the muddy games for three years. As part of "Team Ski Lodge" he and his teammates finished in the final four last year, he said.
"I keep coming back to mud volleyball because I like playing in the mud," he said. "I like to play dirty and to look good while winning. We are going to dominate."
Wilson said after three years of helping with the event he would like his last year to run smoothly with a full bracket and no complications from rain.
"We've got all the water we need coming from hoses so I think any more would make it tough on the competitors," he said.
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