CMU club dodgeball team wins first national title

In recent years Central Michigan has experienced a lot of success in athletics.

Football, baseball, wrestling and soccer — all sports that have won Mid-American Conference titles in the last few years.

On April 10th, another championship was added to the trophy case, although not from a place that many would expect.

The Central Michigan club dodgeball team won the 2011 National Collegiate Dodgeball Championship, hosted by Western Kentucky University.

The team, which is made up of 19 members, paid their own way to compete at nationals. Heading into the tournament 18-1, CMU defeated Wisconsin-Platteville by forfeit, Ohio State 2-1, Saginaw Valley State 2-1 and four-time defending champion Grand Valley State 2-1 to win the title.

One point is earned by eliminating all 15 opposing players. A dodgeball match is made up of two 25-minute halves.

“It was great to beat Grand Valley,” said team captain Patrick Fisher. “There very good and the only team that beat us during the regular season.”

The championship is the first-ever won by a Central Michigan club dodgeball team, who have been practicing twice a week since the beginning of the season.

“It means a lot to me and the guys to win this,” Fisher said. “We had a great season, and the fact that it’s the first time we have ever won it makes it even better.”

If you are interested in joining the club dodgeball team you can email Fisher at fishe1pd@cmich.edu or look for fliers around campus.