Do you ever wish you could go back in time and have recess again, those few blissful minutes running around outside with your friends? Well, here’s your chance. The second annual Kappa Delta Rho Earthball Soccer Tournament will take place tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Sunken Garden.
p. Teams of five or more people can sign up through today. It costs $5 per person or $10 with an Earthball T-shirt, and the fraternity will accept W&M Express. All of the proceeds will benefit the American Diabetes Association.
p. Earthball is a soccer game played with a large inflatable ball. Teams must attempt to kick the gigantic ball, which has a diameter of four-feet. into their opponent’s goal, which is unprotected to even out the odds of scoring. The tournament is double elimination, meaning that teams are eliminated after losing twice. The prize for winning in both the men’s and the women’s brackets is a $75 tab at Paul’s Deli.
p. Each participant will also receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a $30 gift certificate to the Green Leafe or a date package consisting of dinner for two at California Tortilla and a movie at New Town Cinemas. Additional tickets can be purchased at the event for $1.
p. This philanthropy was designed last year to raise money for the American Diabetes Association, a cause that holds a strong personal meaning for several of the brothers. Matt Ragghianti ’08 and Steven Weisberg ’08, the co-philanthropy chairs of KDR, had a freshman hallmate who died of diabetes. “[Earthball] is an event that we hope will increase awareness about diabetes and bring the campus together,” Ragghianti said. “It’s fun, competitive and for a good cause.”
p. KDR said that the first annual Earthball tournament was a success last year. About 100 people were involved and KDR raised $900 for diabetes. This year, the event has expanded by getting several local businesses to donate prizes for the raffle. This past Monday, KDR had a pre-Earthball event called Earthburger, which was held at Cheeburger Cheeburger in New Town. Cheeburger Cheeburger will donate 10 percent of Monday’s Earthburger sales to the American Diabetes Association.
p. The College’s chapter of KDR is relatively new, and according to Weisberg, the only thing that it lacked — as of two years ago — was a strong philanthropic event. The brotherhood wanted to have an event that would increase its presence as a campus organization, so last year they created Earthball.
p. This year, they hope to increase the number of teams in the tournament and get the College community even more involved.
p. “[It’s an] incredibly fun event that the campus can make a tradition,” Weisberg said. Weisberg and Ragghianti, along with the rest of the philanthropy committee have planned an event that they hope will be an instant success and, with its four-foot Earthballs flying around the Sunken Garden, is sure to turn a few heads.
