I’m Brett Granfors and I work as a print operator in Nassau, NY. Growing up I’ve always been active with either baseball or softball. First time I had the chance to play dodgeball was in 9th grade gym class. It was great, but only lasted two days because the second day I handed out two bloody noses. We were using volleyballs I may note. That was the last I played until a pick-up league started in 2008 at the Albany armory.
Playing at the armory each week I slowly started working on the other aspects of the game other than just throwing hard. Thinking I had it all down I assembled a team for our first tournament. We met Rob Immel’s team in the finals where we were destroyed. It was then where I wanted to play more competitively and improve all my abilities in the sport.
I started playing in Rob’s Hometown league where I still play to this day. If I had to pick a role model for the sport it would be Rob. After playing against him I wanted to be just as good and looked forward to playing him and his team in future tournaments. None of which we won by the way. Eventually Rob formed the Empire competitive travel team and we’ve been playing together ever since. Being on the same team now for years he still pushes me, keeps me going, and brings out the best in me and our team. I couldn’t ask for a better teammate, mentor, or friend.
In my dodgeball career I’ve faced three ultimate challenges. The first was playing in two Guinness World Record dodgeball games – first being 31 hours and then again for 43 hours. Both pushed me beyond limits I knew I had. The second was taking home first place in the NDL Dodgeball Championship. It took four years but we finally returned home as victors in 2014. My third challenge is representing my country in a world tournament – winning in England is my next goal.