The tourney at the Burt Kahn Court on October 9 gave faculty their first chance to join an on-campus 1929 Fund fundraising event, said Ryan Elwood ’26, MS ’27. Elwood is this year’s 1929 Fund co-chair together with Shaun Branon ’26, MS ’27.

“Normally, our events are just focused toward students, but we wanted a way to get faculty involved with the 1929 Fund because a lot of faculty say it’s such a great cause,” Elwood said. “We thought dodgeball would be a great event that combined faculty and students.”

Founded in 2021, the 1929 Fund provides financial scholarships for first-year students who would not otherwise be able to achieve their goal of receiving a Quinnipiac education.

Sahir Sood ’26, MS ’27 said he got involved as student member of the 1929 Fund because he believes in its mission.

“I think it’s a great cause. I think everyone deserves a fair chance to achieve education, and this is a great opportunity to get involved in the community and help out those people in need,” Sood said.

Ryan Hagerman ’25 said the dodgeball tournament adds a new and exciting layer to the mix of year-round fundraising efforts and donation drives organized by the 1929 Fund.

“We’ve done all sorts of different kinds of events in my four years here, and it’s always exciting to try something new. Two years ago, during Bobcat Weekend, we sold raffle tickets for a chance to slime Tom Ellett,” Hagerman said. “This is one that’s very accessible to students and our faculty, which makes it that much more fun for everyone.”

Quinnipiac Chief Experience Officer and 1929 Fund advisor Tom Ellett said the new tourney also provided a great opportunity for faculty to engage with student members, and to learn more about their work to support the mission of the 1929 Fund.

“I think it’s really important for the faculty to see students committed to trying to help those students who may not normally be able to attend a place like Quinnipiac. Private education is much more expensive than public education, and so this is one way that they can see that students are taking a leadership role in helping to solve a national challenge for colleges and universities,” said Ellett.

Ellett’s wife, Assistant Professor of Nursing Gladys Vallespir Ellett, is not only very familiar with the goals of the 1929 Fund, but brought a bit of dodgeball experience with her as one of the tourney’s faculty players.

“I played here last January when they had the RecWell night with students; but my skills are limited, and it’s been a long time!” Ellett said. “I think the 1929 Fund is a great organization. The students have been working so hard, and they’re raising funds to actually give back to students. So this is a great way for faculty to support their endeavors and to have a lot of fun.”

Associate Professor of Computer Science Brian O'Neill said he was glad to participate in such a goodwill event. Associate Teaching Professor of Psychology Tara Broccoli said she was excited to get involved as a first-year faculty member.

“I’m literally diving in,” said Broccoli. “I’m excited to participate, and a little bit nervous! I’m not sure if dodgeball is a strength, but I felt like it was a great way to support students outside of the classroom, so I said yes to the opportunity.”

Political Science Professor Candice Travis brought her support, and her game face, to the tourney.

“I’m very competitive, and I love a good game,” Travis said. “When I got the email inviting me to play, I learned more about this students-for-students fund that’s supporting folks who need some assistance. So, I think it’s a great event, and I’m pleased to be here and to be able to donate some money.”

In the first game of the night, Travis earned the distinction of being the last professor standing, after a student team cleared the court of her teammates. Khalid Abdulraheem ’27 said the game play was fun and hectic on the court, but the best part of the night was seeing people come out to support this new effort of the 1929 Fund.

“It’s a good turnout. We wanted to get a lot of people here to play dodgeball, and socialize, and donate for a good cause,” said Abdulraheem.

Alexa Wissell ’25 came out to cheer on her 1929 Fund co-members.

“We really want to emphasize not only raising donations but giving back to students,” Wissell said. “I can donate today, but my contribution is also staying involved with the 1929 Fund, and encouraging other students to stay involved, so that we can raise money and continue these fundraisers so future students in need can afford to come to Quinnipiac.”

Alyssa Venus ’26 helped organize the tourney for the 1929 Fund.

“I think it’s so cool how many students have shown up to support us; and it’s just been an awesome event,” Venus said. “The energy has been amazing. You really can’t ask for much more than to see students and faculty rally around us like this.”

The tourney raised funds through player and spectator donations, sales of 1929 Fund T-shirts and other opportunities to contribute. In-between games, 1929 Fund student members raised awareness about the scholarship program and talked up future fundraising events.

Robert Cojocaru ’27, MS ’28 spoke about being a 1929 Fund scholarship recipient.

“This scholarship committee is made up of a group of generous students who take the time out of their very built-out and busy schedules to coordinate, hold fundraisers, and raise money so they can help people just like me to get relief from their financial struggles,” said Cojocaru.

Cojocaru said 1929 Fund members and advisor, Tom Ellet, are the reason he has been able to attend Quinnipiac.

“I could never have had anything without them and this school,” said Cojocaru. “Along with the scholarship, it has brought me numerous opportunities to get involved with clubs; friends who have helped me every step along the way in succeeding; and connections to others. I’m very grateful to everybody on the committee, and everybody who welcomed me in.”

Assistant Teaching Professor of Finance Eric McAlley said he was glad to have had the opportunity to show his support on the dodgeball court.

“These kids have much better arms than we do, but we held our own out there,” said McAlley. “I like to always mix in with the students and do things with them anytime I can; and a lot of the faculty did the same. So, it was fun to get out here, and it was good to see the kids outside of class and to help support them.”