The kick-off for WKU’s Relay for Life started when the first ball was thrown.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an organization that is dedicated to raising awareness and funding for cancer research. Tonight’s “Protect Your Balls” dodgeball tournament is the official beginning for the event.

Lexington senior Erica Sturgill, a team development chair for Relay, said the tournament was a good way to get the committee publicity.

“This is the event that says, ‘Hey, Relay’s on campus this semester,’” Sturgill said.

There were a total of 15 teams, seven female and eight male. The teams were composed of Greek student, student groups and people who just wanted to come out and show their support.

Shepardsville freshmen Hayley Hoback, on the Sigma Nu Girls team, said decided to play because she’d never played dodgeball before. She said was participating in honor of her father.

“I decided to do it because my dad had cancer,” Hoback said. 

In the end, Phi Gamma Delta’s “Cabell Castle” team and Alpha Xi Delta’s “Xi Best” team won in the men’s and women’s divisions. The Alpha Xi’s won the tournament last year as well.

Rhode Island sophomore Madison Peercy, a member of “Xi Best” said the team’s victory meant more to her than a regular tournament.

“It feels good to win, but feels even better knowing that we did it for a good cause,” Peercy said.