Ballwans Won Annual UT Arlington Oozeball Tournament
The annual mud volleyball tradition saw 76 teams compete on the university campus this September.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Volleyball
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University of Texas at Arlington students gathered for the school's long-standing Oozeball mud volleyball tournament. The team Ballwans emerged as the winner of the 2026 competition.
Why it matters
The tournament serves as a key campus tradition that fosters student engagement and athletic participation. It remains a hallmark event for the university community nearly four decades after its inception.
A total of 76 teams competed in the 2026 tournament, continuing a tradition that first launched in 1989. The event's scope remains consistent with its historical participation levels.
The players
Ballwans
This team claimed victory as the champions of the 2026 Oozeball tournament.
Doug Kuykendall
He is the founder who originally started the Oozeball event tradition.
Wendell Nedderman
He was a participant in the inaugural tournament who suffered a broken foot during play.
Nathan Ha
He serves as the assistant director of Sport Programs at the university.
The details
Student workers prepared the venue by installing the necessary tents and courts to facilitate the mud-filled matches. The planning for this logistical undertaking begins annually in May.
Timeline
The Oozeball tradition began in 1989.
Planning for the tournament begins every May.
The 2026 Oozeball tournament occurred in September 2026.
Season Trajectory
The 2026 competition marks a continuation of the 1989 inaugural Oozeball tournament, tracking how the event has evolved from its origin. This ongoing series demonstrates the stability of student-led athletic traditions at the University of Texas at Arlington.
The victory by the Ballwans secures their position in the historical standings of the annual campus event. Student participants must account for the specialized court setup coordinated by staff each year.
The takeaway
Maintaining long-standing campus traditions requires significant logistical preparation and student involvement. The success of this year's event highlights the enduring popularity of mud-based recreational sports on campus.
Further reading
For more coverage of local athletic events, visit Volleyball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Shorthorn.
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