Peace, love and dodgeball

By DEVIN WEEKS

Staff Writer

COEUR d’ALENE — Colorful foam spheres thundered into the bleachers and walls as nimble players twisted, jumped and ducked to get out of the way.

North Idaho College history instructor James Jewell meant business — his hair wild beneath a Grateful Dead bandana, his left wrist protected by a black brace.

This was dodgeball. And it was go time.

"It's pretty cool," said Jewell, who played on the NIC faculty team Qualitative ES. "It's a pretty neat experience to get out here, although we're a little nervous that being faculty we might be targeted a little extra. Just saying."

The inaugural community dodgeball tournament was held in NIC's Christianson Gym on Friday evening to celebrate the United Nations' International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, which is recognized on April 6 to commemorate the first Olympic games that were held on this day in 1896.

The event was coordinated by NIC and the Human Rights Education Institute to promote peace and good sportsmanship, so what better way to unify the community than by pitting teams against each other for a little friendly competition?

"Everyone loved the idea of dodgeball, and all the coaches bought in, so we ran with it," said event organizer Chelsie Shackelford, who works in NIC's marketing and communications department. "I am super excited that we had such a great turnout. I really hope that we can get it going again next year. This would be a great annual event to honor athletes across the globe. I'm super proud that there are so many community members that have come out today."

The tournament included at least 20 six-person teams with names like Artful Dodgeballers, Emperors of Ice, the Borah Lions and the Eagles. Ages varied from elementary-schoolers to teens to the wise and young at heart.

"It's always fun to bring a team together and unite people for a common cause," said Ramsey Magnet School of Science fifth-grade teacher Scott Busch, who played on a team of educators. "It's just a small community. You know a lot of the team members on other teams playing, so it's fun to encourage them, cheer them on and build community."

With a "Ready. Set. Go!" the players scrambled toward the balls set in the center of the gym and launched them at their opponents. Spectators were on the edges of their seats as teams were whittled down to a handful of players or fewer. The audience erupted in howls and cheers when that last ball tagged a team's last player standing, especially when it was unexpected.

NIC Athletics Director Al Williams said it was nice to bring people together for a common cause "just to indicate the universal aspect of sports and how they can unify a community."

"It's pretty special to have that here on our campus," he said.

The event included a #WhiteCard campaign that encouraged participants at the event and on social media to “raise their #WhiteCard,” which symbolizes the positive power of sport, in contrast with the red card, which signifies serious offense. Attendees also had the opportunity to sign a pledge for peace.

Jeanette Laster, executive director of the Human Rights Education Institute, said although some players would be more competitive than others, "this is a friendly game."

She said in today's climate, where people can be unkind and negative dialogue and reactions are prevalent, something like this can bring about a universal camaraderie.

"The idea is to bring people together in an effort to show that sport can generate times of peace, conversation around peace and just have a great time in the community," she said. "It's really important for us to acknowledge that there are activities that could support the work that HREI is doing and that NIC is doing around diversity, inclusion and peace and kindness."