Tricia Sheehan/submitted photoFaculty and students fearlessly pummeled balls at each other in a desperate attempt for victory at Cabrini’s second annual Wallyball tournament to promote Fair Trade. The games commenced in the Dixon Center on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 3:30 p.m.
The event started last year when members of the Cabrini Catholic Relief Services partnership committee wanted to develop a fun event that would attract students while promoting the Fair Trade cause. The tournament’s success last year affirmed that it would be an annual event, according to Dr. Mary Harris, the department chair for business.
“There is a growing interest in the things we buy and to make sure the people who create them are being paid fairly. We don’t want to buy things that were made in sweat shops. This campus has become known for providing Fair Trade,” Dr. Mary Laver, director of applied social teaching, said.
Wallyball is different from the traditional game of volleyball because the players can use the side walls. It was chosen because of its appeal. It is a fun sporting event where talent is not needed. The tournament also provides an opportunity for some excitement and a break from the daily routine while supporting a good cause.
“It’s fun to get out of the office and see people who are having a good time and making a difference,” Laver said.
The two and a half hour tournament did not just provide a good time but also playful and fierce competition. Students and teachers emerged from the courts laughing, rubbing their wrists and displaying the bruises they received in the match. The players made sure to put forth all their efforts in the game. The tournament was sure to leave a lasting imprint on all those who participated.
“We had a great time. We’re here for fair trade,” Jessica Zawrotny, junior psychology major, said.
Fair trade products are now widely used among campus. The school bookstore carriers fair trade chocolate, the palms used by Father Michael were fair trade and one can even purchase fair trade coffee at Jazzman’s.
Accompanying the tournament was a variety of fair trade exhibits. They displayed facts such as “2.7 billion people live on less than $2 dollars a day” and “800,000 earned a living on fair trade.” Names of grocery stores that sell fair trade products like Giant, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods Market, were also brought to the attention of the attendees. They provided bananas, coffee and even the balls used in the game were all fair trade.
The consolation winners of the tournament included sophomores Lindsay Buckley, Daniel DiPasquale, Justin DiPasquale and Jeremy Ukranski. The Wallyball champion team, Triple Threat, included sophomore Chris Cantwell, freshmen Michael Viscariello, Derreck Shenk and Pat Gallagher. All the winners received a certificate and fair trade coffee.
The event proved to once again be successful as teachers and students gradually left the Dixon center sipping their coffee, smiling and debating over their team’s plays.
“It’s a fun event that’s going to stay with you,” Chris Holland, junior accounting major, said.”
