Broomball tournament remains tradition

By Ryan Howard (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published 07:43 a.m., February 8, 2010

To some members of the Fergus Falls Fire Department and Ringdahl Ambulance, the broomball tournament held during Fergus Falls’ annual Frostbite Festival has become something of a tradition. A tradition of good-natured insults, perhaps, but a tradition nonetheless.

Brian Votaw and Kelly Backman of the fire department and Dan Kreager and Tollef Ringdahl of the ambulance service joked around with each other and traded barbs before the tournament began, and it seemed that, at times, taking home the championship trophy was the last thing on their minds “I just want to beat the fire department,” chuckled Ringdahl. In fact, all four of them predicted that the team from the Bigwood Event Center, last year’s defending champions, would once again come away with the victory.

The two teams, along with one from Lakes Region Healthcare, who didn’t front a team on Saturday, were the only participants in the first tournament two years ago. Last year, there were four teams, and this year saw the total upped to six, with teams from Bigwood, Service Foods, Whee’l Haul It and a team called The Plain White T’s rounding out the ensemble.

Another group was also present to join in the fun: the Salvation Army, who provided hot chocolate and chili to those at the event. The Salvation Army has supported the event all three years its been around, according to Lynne Verhaagh, one of the serving volunteers. “We just like to support them,” she said. “It’s a community thing.”

Shane Partain, another fire department team member and one of the organizers of the event, said he’s pleased at how the event has grown every year. “It’s something different to do,” he said.

Winners or losers, however, Votaw, Backman, Kreager and Ringdahl just like having a good time with friends. “After Ringdahl beats us,” joked Backman, “we’re going to challenge them to a spelling bee.”

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