Tournaments have been an ISU Homecoming tradition for many years and offer students a chance to get involved and have a great deal of fun at the same time.

“The purpose of the tournaments is to get everyone excited and fired up for Homecoming,” said Dallas Thompson, tournaments co-chair.

Events ended Tuesday after beginning Sept. 30.

Tournaments are held for a variety of sports, including inner tube water basketball, indoor soccer, basketball, volleyball, dodgeball, flag football, billiards, bowling and euchre.

There is also an Olympics event consisting of activities such as a pie-eating contest, a community service endeavor, tug-of-war and two different races.

“In previous years, the events have been traditional, but we changed a few things this year to liven them up,” said Thompson, senior in agricultural studies.

Seventeen teams are participating in each of the events, and three teams are taking part in separate activities.

Every year, students are encouraged to participate and attend the tournaments, said Jenni McClure, tournament co-chair.

Kari Smith, senior tournament contender, has participated each year while attending Iowa State and said the tournaments are a lot of fun and a big dose of healthy competition.

Smith represents her sorority, Kappa Delta, in the Homecoming tournaments. In her house, three girls have to play, and alternates can play as well if they want to.

“The team with the most wins is rewarded with a trophy,” Smith said. “The tournaments get the whole house fired up for Homecoming.”

Ellen Dunseth, assistant director for student programs, said they’ve tried to change emphasis of the event.

“One of the main focuses this year is trying to make the tournaments fun and not focus on the competitive side as much,” Dunseth said.

The events are held in various locations across campus including the Lied Recreation Center, State Gym Pool, the Towers fields, the Memorial Union, and the tennis courts outside the Lied Recreation Center.

Team entry fees amount to $115.00 for participating in all of the events, and $15.00 for competing in each single event. Individual contestants pay $10.00 each.

Both Thompson and McClure have the future of the event in mind.

They said they have bright ideas to pass on to the next tournament co-chairs, which include sand volleyball games and a slow-pitch softball tournament.

“Next year, get involved,” Thompson said. “We want everybody to participate.”