Fort Campbell- Strike's dodge ball team made of Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), poses with Command Sgt. Maj. Alonzo J. Smith, command sergeant major of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell, a...

Fort Campbell, KY- Soldiers attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), have a celebratory huddle at Fort Campbell's Dodge Ball Cages, as they win the dodge ball tournament during the Week of the Eagles, Aug. 15. The ...

Fort Campbell, KY- Strike Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), stand alert and alone, as they fight off the opposing brigade in the Week of the Eagles dodge ball tournament championship game held at Fort C...

Fort Campbell, KY- The Strike Force Dodge Ball team representing the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), stand readily alert as they take on a barrage of dodge balls from the opposing team at the Week of the Eagles 2012 Do...

Fort Campbell, KY- Two Strike Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), pose with Command Sgt. Maj. Alonzo J. Smith, command sergeant major of the 101st Airborne Division and...

FORT CAMPBELL, KY - The Week of the Eagles has been a Fort Campbell tradition for over 70 years. This tradition brings not only Soldiers, but also their family members and Veterans of the Screaming Eagle family as well. The events started in 1970's to build the cohesion of Soldiers. Over that span, the events have evolved not just for Soldier participation, but also former Screaming Eagles and family members alike. The week is a highlight for some.

"It's pretty awesome, said Private 1st Class Alan Roach, an infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). "It gets you out of the company to have fun."

In its infancy, the new event of dodge ball has been added to the Week of the Eagles, here in Fort Campbell. Originating in Africa over 200-years ago, the game first started when tribesmen would throw large rocks that would try and incapacitate or injure the attacking skirmishers. Much different from how it is played today. The game of dodge ball now plays a big role in the bringing of cohesion and building team skills.

"Dodge ball is very important because it's a huge team sport, said Private 1st Class Phillip Seward, an infantryman with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment. "I joined the team because it's fun."

The dodge ball tournament is played over a three-day span of time, beginning Aug. 13 and the finals being played on the Aug. 15. There is only one team that will take the glory and the bragging rights for their brigade.

"We are definitely going to win, we're bringing this to 2nd Brigade," said Private 1st Class Alan Roach also with Company B, after defeating the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade in the semifinals by a score of 2-0. "Strike is going to win the dodge ball tournament."

The game starts off with a blow of a whistle and two teams, eight on each, go head to head. If a player fails to catch a ball, that player is knocked out. When the opposing team hits a player with a ball, regardless of where on the body, the player is out. The team with personnel still standing at the end of the fight are the victors. The team with the best score out of three games advances. The dodge ball tournament is a new and permanent event to the Week of the Eagles, with Soldiers, past, present, and family members to watch the cohesion and traditions of the Screaming Eagles way of life.

"It brings everyone together pretty well, said Spc. Justin Baylee an infantryman with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, after his team won the Dodge ball tournament. "It brought not only the people from the company together, but the battalion as well."