The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community’ WellPath program held its annual March Madness games at Friendship Park. Throughout March, SRPMIC employees could participate in activities against other departments.

Games included cornhole, knock out, giant pong, ultimate Frisbee, cup stacking and minute to win it. Participants battled each other in hopes of moving up brackets to win either gold, silver or bronze medals. 

Before the March Madness games, basketball was the lone option for tribal government employees, however basketball is a full contact sport that often leads to injuries, and not everyone plays the game, Andrew Weiler, Wellness Program supervisor explained. “We decided on the Olympic Gamed Parody made up of a wide variety of games that could help build team morals in various departments. We envision a March Madness games where every department and the enterprises all have teams.” 

This year, full court basketball games still took place at the Way of Life Facility. 

Over the years, WellPath has developed a partnership with Benefits, Community Relations, Round House Café, Community Recreations Services and Public Works due to an increase in participation. “It’s now too big for WellPath alone,” said Weiler.

“WellPath envisions MMGs to be a month-long corporate picnic run at lunchtime from the beginning of March and culminating on National Benefits Day each year. We hope all departments will want to have teams and compete against one another for the overall championship,” he said. 

The games concluded with a free barbeque style picnic with the help from the Round House and medals and a trophy were presented to department participants.