Illinois Park & Recreation Association 2007 Best Special Event Award

     The fun event now is entering its 30th year. Peggy Krauch, retired Superintendent of Recreation, said, “ Richard Sheriff, a park district commissioner in 1978, directed Kathy (Doell) Farraday to start a mud volleyball tournament.” The first challenging court started in the area by the old tennis courts with eight teams for two days of play.

     One challenge the first year team players faced was keeping clothing in place because of the terrific pull of the mud recalled Lenertz. “The next year duct tape was a popular part of every team’s outfit, including shoes, and it still is.”

     The cohesiveness of clothing is not the only continuing aspect of the event—it also is generation-to-generation participation. Recreation Coordinator Anna Rosalez said, “We have some families participating since the beginning, such as the Kufta’s and a little later, the Seabolt’s. Their kids have accepted the torch of the muddy challenge.”

     Talking about the muddy way, the manner of filling the volleyball court has evolved into a “clean” fill. In the beginning, regular dirt was brought to the site and watered down. “True mud is now a commodity—debris free,” explained Lenertz.

      The six volleyball courts in Reed-Keppler Park are filled with 52 tons of mud, for the participation of approximately 60 teams playing in the two-day period. Family members, friends and neighbors create a festive spirit, cheering for their teams, bringing picnic lunches, but, most importantly of all, providing some source of clean clothing and lots of water in which to cleanse off the mud after the game. “It truly is a ‘clean’ and fun event that all enjoy and we hope continues for many more years,” said Lenertz.