Dodgeballers compete for FSS customer appreciation cash

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Frank Hartnett
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Friday afternoons are usually when most Airmen think about the weekend or meeting friends in the evening. However, more than 100 Airmen at Eielson recently spent their afternoon in a different way--they competed in a dodgeball tournament. 

Eighteen six-man teams took to the field at the Baker Field House hoping for victory and a piece of the prize money sponsored by the 354th Force Support Squadron. The dodgeball tournament was one part of the customer appreciation week sponsored and organized by the Force Support Squadron. 

"The tournament is funded with customer appreciation money," said Jacqueline Green, 354th Force Support Squadron Marketing Director. "It is a budget that we set every year to reward our loyal customers." 

The week long customer celebration was supported by a $10,000 budget; the tournament split $1000 among the top three teams: 

3rd Place - 354th Communication Squadron "Infrastructure" 

2nd Place - 168th Air Refueling Wing 

1st Place - 354th Civil Engineering Squadron "Hot Sticks" 

The tournament drew a large response from around Eielson. 

"We had 18 teams sign up, so it's one of the biggest tournaments we've ever had," said Ms. Greene.

The cash prizes also drew positive reactions from the competitors. 

"It was great to play for money," said 2nd Lt. Tim Aanerud, 354th Maintenance Squadron accessories flight commander. "It's great that the FSS put the tournament together and it was in a good venue." 

The competition also created some dramatic moments when players found themselves outgunned. 

"We were down to our last player, Senior Master Sgt. Ken Cronin," said Lieutenant Aanerud. "He won the game even though he was outnumbered four-to-one and carried our team to the next round." 

Event organizers were happy to see so many teams competing for cash, but said winning wasn't the only benefit.

"It's a great way for people to come together, be active, have some fun and brighten up the winter months," said Ms. Greene.