FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 16, 2015) -- Ballroom Boxing returns to Uchee Creek Oct. 17. Like last year, the event will be set to resemble a 1940s evening sporting event.

"We theme it out to the 1940s and 50s time - no cell phones, no TVs, no Internet -it was back when people just went out for the night and enjoyed a sport," said Ken Wetherill, Sports, Fitness and Aquatics chief with the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

The Fort Benning Boxing Team will fight Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Drum, New York; and possibly Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and West Point, New York, boxers for the Benning Belt.

"This isn't Benning boxing, this is installation against installation," Wetherill said. "We're trying to bring back the installation pride, the team pride."

The team is hoping for a matinee and an evening show, but the number of participating boxers who weigh in will determine that, Wetherill said.

The Fort Benning Boxing Team is looking for Soldiers to join the team.

"It takes a lot for anybody to cross between the ropes and put a pair of gloves on their hands," he said.

Wetherill said athletes make better service members, and encourages Soldiers to join the team.

"If you give people a sport, which people love to do and love to watch, then they'll want to be better at it - they're going to train harder and longer at it," Wetherill said.

Training is held from 6:30-9 p.m. every Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to when the gym closes on Saturdays at F3 Training Center, 4454 Warm Springs Road in Columbus.

Wetherill said Soldiers aren't expected to make every practice, but they should be training at least one to two times per week.

Those who can't travel to Columbus should train at the Audie Murphy boxing room with drill suggestions from the coach, Donnie Bellflowers. He also said he willing to work around any Soldiers' schedule. For more information, boxers can contact Wetherill at kenneth.k.wetherill.naf@mail.mil.Ballroom Boxing is free and open to the public. There will be food and drink vendors and a booth for photographs at the event. Attendees are encouraged to dress up in 1940s evening clothes for a chance to win the Best Dressed prize. For information on the event, visit www.benningmwr.com.