The Weber State Army ROTC, in partnership with Campus Recreation and the Athletics Department, will host the first Weber State University Turkey Bowl this weekend.
The 16-team double-elimination tournament will be made of teams of seven players. The tournament will be held on the turf practice field and prizes will be given to the winning teams. There is no entry fee but only the first 16 teams will be allowed to play.
Capt. Richard Ingleby, a recruiting officer for the Weber State Army ROTC, and the rest of the ROTC wanted to give back to the university. They felt that a Turkey Bowl would be a great opportunity to do that. They are also planning on putting on more tournaments with basketball and volleyball next year.
“My boss, (Lt. Col.) Jason Nierman, the commander of the WSU Army ROTC detachment wanted to do an event where our department is giving back to the university,” Ingleby said. “The university is very good to our program. We hope to make this an annual event.”
Ingleby and the rest of the staff hope that the students that take advantage of this opportunity will really enjoy themselves.
“All in all, this is going to be a big event and a lot of fun,” Ingleby said. “We have 12 teams registered and roughly 100 people total plus support staff. The ROTC will have two teams: one with instructors and the other with cadets.”
But the event wouldn’t be possible without the help the ROTC is receiving from other organizations around campus.
“We need to include recognition for our partners in this,” Ingebly said. “Several groups around campus have joined up and helped make this happen. Campus Recreation is providing the refs, equipment and the field, (and) athletics with the balls and campus events with the advertisement.”
The champions of the Turkey Bowl will win prizes to reward them for being the best team at the university.
“The winning team will receive an engraved turkey trophy and each player will receive a Turkey Bowl-logo’ed Adidas hoodie,” Ingleby said. “The runner-up team will receive an Adidas long-sleeve, moisture-wicking t-shirt as well. The offensive and defensive MVP of the championship game will receive a WSU football signed by Coach Hill and presented by one of his coaches.”
The first games will take place on Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Then games will continue on Nov. 24 and 25 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. They plan to play the final three games in Stewart Stadium.
