Dodge(ball) City Comes To Swampscott

Swampscott High School students will take on adults in a dodgeball tournament to raise money for the yearbook and prom.

Organizers for the March Madness-style tournament are asking adults to dust off their dodgeball skills — like ducking and dodging— and join the tournament. 

The games take place in the high school gym March 16, from 6-8 p.m. Adults over 18 can form teams of 6. 

The cost is $15 per player ($90 per team), said Lytania Mackey, Class of 2011 advisor.

A few adult teams have already signed up including one from the police department and a partial team from the fire department.

Student Council Rep. Christopher Mason and other council members including President Matt Gadman are organizing the tournament.

They say it should be interesting seeing adults who haven’t played the game in quite a while dodging and throwing.

“It’s going to be fun seeing these big firemen against moms and stuff,” Mason said.

It will also be fun to take part in an event that brings adults and students together, they said.

The high school has already crowned its student dodgeball champs. The victors arose from a tournament at the school in November.

The winning high school team plays the final winner of the adults, Mackey said.

The tournament is double elimination. Games average 5-15 minutes.

The object of dodgeball is to throw soft gym balls at the opposing team (no head shots). If you get hit with the ball, you are out. The object is to get the opposing team members all out.

The senior class needs to raise about $14,000 by spring to subsidize the yearbook cost, the senior banquet and graduation expenses. 

The Great Recession has taken a toll on student fundraising, and more students are in need of help paying for things such as prom tickets and attire.

Sign up for the tournament by emailing mackey@swampscott.k12.ma.us a full team name and participants.

The fee is payable by cash or check to Class of 2011 and should be mailed or dropped off at SHS care of Class of 2011- Lytania Mackey

The email will reserve their spot. There are 16 team spots available.

The yearbook cost can also be reduced by community and family ads to promote their business, Mackey said.