MARQUETTE - - For more than a decade, Marquette’s Superior Dome has played host to an abundance of sporting events and special occasions.

However, none may be more beneficial to the community than the Area 36 Special Olympics and Marquette Area Jaycees Indoor Softball Tournament.

Running in its 15th year, the tournament has been paramount in helping to raise money to help local Special Olympics. Tallying in excess of $10,000 in proceeds in 2007, that mark was something tournament director Mick Campbell looked to improve as the field of 28 teams took to the turf this past weekend.

We’ve decided to expand the field to 28 teams due to the high demand of teams that wanted to play, he said. We hope to again raise more than $10,000, maybe $12,000 for the Area 36 Special Olympics.

With competition said to have been the best in the tournament’s existence, a trophy, along with $1,000 was given to first place, with $500 going to the runner-up. Third place received $250. It’s a good competitive tournament, but everyone is playing for the benefit of Special Olympics, Campbell said. The spirit is unmatched, and the willingness and enthusiasm of all the athletes has been remarkable. It gets better each year. Yet it isn’t solely the players who show their high enthusiasm. Without the help of countless volunteers, the tournament would not be able to go forth.

Our volunteers have been outstanding. I can’t tell you how many volunteers this tournament takes to run smoothly, Campbell said. Gini Scherer, who just spent two weeks with the U.P. Sled Dog Races, is here doing a lot of community service for the tournament and without her this tournament wouldn’t go.

She organizes all of the scorekeepers and seems like she’s here 16 hours a day. Along with her, our umpires, the Jaycees, and everyone else, they are a big reason that we are able to have a successful tournament.

With temperatures bordering single digits and a wind-chill dipping below zero, teams were able to enjoy the warmth and intrigue that the Dome has to offer. "The opportunity to play ball in February is a major factor in why teams keep coming back," said Ryan Whitley, co-chair and team coordinator. "We had a bit of a waiting list and about four or five teams missed the cutoff this year, so it can be tough for new teams to get into the tournament."

Proceeds from the event are used for year-round training and athletic competition for people and families who can not afford the opportunity. Whitley said the most memorable part of the tournament comes with the opening ceremonies.

"The beneficiary of the proceeds, the Special Olympics Area 36, makes this event so special," he said. "This usually hits home at the opening ceremonies when the special Olympians and the athletes that travel long distances are on the playing field at the same time."

"At the end of the ceremony, the special Olympians give high fives to all the teams. The joy and sincere appreciation that the special Olympians have on their faces at this time makes the five months of work this tournament takes every year worth every minute."

"That’s the reason I keep coming back, and one of the main reasons the teams keep coming back."