Some of the athletes wore mullet hairstyles; others, domino inspired uniforms or Hawaiian shirts and leis. They all ducked, dived and hit hard to help a good cause at DMU’s second annual Dodgeball Derby.
DMU’s American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine Club (AAPSM) sponsored the Feb. 19 derby to raise money for See-Us Run Des Moines, an Iowa Kidstrong program that uses marathon training to teach teens how to be successful in life.
“I started running in high school and have a passion for organizations that support the sport of running,” says AAPSM club president Jeff Weber,DPM’13, who pitched the idea of supporting See-Us Run Des Moines to his fellow club officers. “AAPSM supports the advancement of knowledge in regard to podiatric sports medicine among our students at DMU, as well as encourages its members and the public to engage in physical activities that promote a healthy lifestyle.”
Open to community members, the derby drew seven teams and raised $250 for Iowa Kidstrong. The winning team, the Dirtballers, and the one taking the “best costumes” title, the Engi-nerds, were both made up of community members.
“I think having events at DMU that are open to the public helps strengthen the school’s bond with the community,” Weber says.