By John Egnot
Manager of Media Relations

Aaah! Nothing like a good old-fashioned family reunion. What could possibly be funner than getting everybody together to just hang out, talk about the good old days and reminisce about days gone by.

Well, this sounds great, but throw a little competition in there and all of a sudden, Grandpa Jim is doing some kind of 1960s-style victory dance after toasting Aunt Betty for a long touchdown reception in a pickup football game.

A family reunion is somewhat similar to a little thing we here at the AJGA do every Spring. In 2006, there was a brief window of opportunity between the 14 Spring events and the long Summer schedule where the 50-some AJGA staff members were all actually together at the office.

If you’ve been around our staff on the road, you can probably tell we’re having a little bit of fun at our events. But when you get all of us together, on the same day, at the same time, you never know what you might see.

So, as is tradition, the AJGA staff took to the parking lot, tennis court and field surrounding the AJGA Headquarters in Braselton, Ga., for Spring Staff Outing 2006.

There was plenty of anticipation in the air. Once again, Executive Director Stephen Hamblin, Chief Financial Officer Jason Miller and the other officers and department heads at the AJGA organized a series of “friendly competitions”, as well as a barbeque lunch fit for a king.

For some, the day was one of relaxation and sitting by the pool. For others, it was a day to show off the “athletic” skills that some of us used to have, but have clearly passed us by. While some of us staffers have some speed and hops left in us, most don’t. And we know it. We just haven’t accepted it.

Prior to lunch being served, a four-team, double-elimination dodge ball tournament broke out on the tennis court. A huge hit in 2005, everyone involved was buzzing with anticipation as Director of Education Andrew “The Underhander” Greenfield took to the court. However, Greenie (or “Bunker” as many AJGA juniors know him) shocked the crowd with a newly-discovered, more traditional overhand style of throwing. It wasn’t all that effective, but it definitely looked a lot better.

Some other highlights of dodge ball included Chief Communications Officer Rob Coleman catching what seemed to be 20 consecutive balls thrown in his direction. Stunned onlookers were in amazement of his skill. Meanwhile, Assistant Executive Director Peter Ripa, donning a “Prince of Peace” t-shirt, took to the court with his usual tenacity and reputation as a headhunter. Nothing that happened on the court made any of us think any differently.

With the dodge ball competition completed, the staff rested their brutally sore arms and partook in lunch. Afterwards, a pick-up game of basketball broke out with two seven-foot hoops spread about 35 feet apart. Even with the extremely short court, many of us were winded after about two trips. However, one staffer, Manager of Finance Richard “Muda” Mudafort, dazzled the crowd and drew two or three ooo’s and aaah’s with an array of no-look behind-the-back reverse layups that made LeBron James look like a bench-warmer.

Next, the staff headed to the field behind AJGA Headquarters for arguably the most anticipated, and most painful event of the day, ultimate Frisbee. If you’re not familiar with the game, it’s basically football with a Frisbee and without the tackling. Or at least that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

In 2005, the game turned ugly as Chief Advancement Officer Bob Miller stumbled to the sideline only to begin dry heaving to the dismay of many staffers. We all had hoped for a different result for Bob in 2006. It almost turned out that way.

On the field, Mudafort once again stole the show, at least for a while, seemingly being shot out of a cannon while going up against five or six taller staff members to snag the disc out of the air. The guy has some ups, what can you say?

The highlight of the day came from Vice President of Player Services Rob Jansen. Headed toward the end zone after an overthrown disc, Jansen laid out in a completely horizontal fashion, about three feet in the air, and snagged the edge of the disc with two fingers in the back of the end zone. Jansen ate some dirt, but everyone watching, especially the opposing defense, stood in awe as the University of Wisconsin graduate made the ridiculous grab.

Meanwhile, back on the sidelines, Bob Miller is flat on his face in utter fatigue. I guess there’s always 2007 for a shot at redemption.

With ultimate Frisbee coming to an end, the staff embarked on the 100-yard walk back to the office. Most of us were grunting and groaning and wreathing in pain. For most, this was the most exercise we’ve had in 10 years. Painting hazard lines and pounding stakes just doesn’t prepare you for a day of all-out leave-it-all-on-the-field competition.

After the action near the office, those brave enough to stay on our feet (about 12 of us) took to the par-3 course at Chateau Elan for a little friendly competition. After four holes, a staff member who will remain anonymous had just come off of a back-to-back eight-nine combination (remember this is a par-3 course). I almost did a swan dive into a nearby pond as my body had completely shut itself down.

Oh wait, did I just admit to going eight-nine on a par-3 course?

Anyway, Spring Staff Outing 2006 had come to an end. There were some laughs, some incredible athletic feats and even more ugliness in its purest form. With the summer embarking on us, it will be months until we are all together again.

But when that happens, there will be a plethora of dodge balls awaiting us. And even more sore, swollen limbs will assuredly follow.