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Gaga for Gaga Ball is a fundraising project launched by Dr. Mar Magnusen, Associate Professor of Sport Management, and the students taking his Athletic Fundraising and Development course at Baylor. The project will provide 2 gaga ball pits to Crestview Elementary School in Waco, Texas. What is gaga ball? It is a fast paced, high energy game for kids (and sometimes adults) that is played in an octagonal pit. The game has been called a gentler version of dodgeball. The game requires a gaga pit, a soft foam ball, and players. Players will run, jump, and dodge as they also try to hit opponents with the ball below the knees. The ball isn’t thrown; the ball is hit with the hand so that it rolls over the ground without bouncing over the sides of the gaga pit.
Gaga ball is an incredibly popular physical activity for schools throughout the United States. It’s popular in part because of the numerous benefits it provides for children. The game helps children learn strategic thinking as well as develop improved control over their bodies through running, jumping, and changing directions. Moreover, the game does not discriminate against skill level or age. Students of all types can participate in gaga ball and work together as a team. Unfortunately, kids at Crestview Elementary School have not been able to participate in the game because they do not have the financial resources to purchase gaga ball pits.
Gaga for Gaga Ball seeks to help the children of Crestview Elementary School by providing them with 2 gaga ball pits. The goal of the project is to raise $3,500. This money will be used to purchase 2 gaga ball pits and the accompanying supplies, such as foam balls and a storage bag. The gaga ball pits and resources will be purchased by Baylor and donated to Crestview Elementary School.
The student leaders in Dr. Magnusen’s class are Stephen Arnold and Danielle Friedrich. This project is supported by the Sport Management Program, which is part of the Department of Educational Leadership in the School of Education. The Crestview Elementary School partners are Samantha Craytor, who is the school’s principal, and Elizabeth Dover, a physical education coach with the school.
Baylor is a truly caring community. Gaga for Gaga Ball is a wonderful opportunity for Baylor University to “Love thy neighbor” and provide a chance to serve teachers and students in our community with the joys of fitness, fellowship, and fun. With your generosity, a school which lacks the resources to provide this experience for its young students will suddenly be able to give them a chance to play this exciting and popular game.
To learn more about this project, please contact Dr. Mar Magnusen, Associate Professor of Sport Management at Marshall_Magnusen@baylor.edu.
