On the weekend of March 26th – 28th, eight HBS students traveled to Durham, North Carolina to participate in the 2004 Duke MBA Games. The Duke MBA Games were founded in 1989 when a group of Fuqua students invited friends from other top business schools to Durham to enjoy the warm spring weather and, more importantly, raise money for Special Olympics of North Carolina. MBA Games, one of the largest multi-business school events in the nation, has raised more than $1.25 million for North Carolina Special Olympics since its inception through business school participation and corporate sponsorships. The 2004 Duke MBA Games raised $100,000 for North Carolina Special Olympics.
The weekend activities included a 5K run, golf tournament, scavenger hunt and full day of field day competitions including the Briefcase Toss, Dizzybat Race, Obstacle Course, Tug-of-War and Basketball Shoot-out.
After marginal results in recent history, this year’s HBS team finished 7th in the standings. Although Wharton was the 2004 MBA Games champion, HBS placed in multiple events including a first place finish in the Briefcase Toss. More importantly, the HBS special athlete team members – Terry, Jeff, and Michael – donned their HBS shirts with pride, had a fantastic time, and were presented medals at the closing ceremonies as a result of their exemplary performance in the events.
The event provided the HBS team an opportunity to meet students from other top business schools, show off its creativity and athletic talents (or lack thereof) and support a worthy cause-Special Olympics. Following three consecutive Top 10 finishes, this year’s team hopes that next year’s team will bring the coveted trophy home to HBS.
Congratulations to the HBS team for this year’s performance! Thanks to Staci Arnovitz (OC), Allen Duan (OH), Julia Feldman (OC), Billy Gonzalez (OH), Divya Gugnani (OH), Jarred Kennedy (OF), Dan O’Brien (OH) and T.J. Rose (OH) for their participation, effort, and for representing HBS so well.
Editor’s Note: If you are an RC student and would like to organize a team next spring to participate in this fun-filled weekend of competition and rewarding philanthropy, then please contact Dan O’Brien (jobrien@mba2004.hbs.edu)
