The Marshall Recreation Center hosted a dodge ball tournament Friday in the hopes of helping a former Rec Center employee and Marshall student, Johnny Gue, fight his battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“Working at the Rec is more than just working with others, it’s like working with your family,” Rec Center employee Taylor Foster said. “The dodgeball tournament for Johnny Gue is a great example of that. Johnny worked at the Rec while he was an undergraduate here at Marshall, now it’s time for the Rec to give back to him.”

To register for the tournament, each team member contributed $5 and each team could consist of a maximum of six players. All proceeds will go to Gue and his family to help pay for medical bills and treatments.

“The Rec is a family that sticks together no matter the circumstances,” Rec Center employee and Marshall senior Chelsie Cooper said.

Cooper said Gue is “one of our own” and the Rec Center as a whole is going to do all they can to help.

Over 30 teams participated in the tournament, along with several additional donations.

“We are pleased with the turnout for this event,” Cooper said. “As an employee of the Rec, this job is more than just a job. The people you work with are more than just your coworkers. We are Marshall. Johnny put his years in at the Rec and he is our family. This tournament is a way for us to show our support while one of ours is fighting cancer.”

Gue said he was appreciative of the community support shown through the event.

“When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer, the first question that ran through my head was, why me? Then I realized that I wouldn’t be going through this alone,” Gue said. “The support has been pouring in. This tournament was a huge surprise to me and I can’t thank everyone who has put their time into this. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.”

The Rec is still accepting donations for Gue and his family.