SAN DIEGO — It's the first weekend of the 71st annual Over the Line tournament — and the Old Mission Bay Athletic Club decided to memorialize some of their fallen members. Members throughout the day spoke to the underlying spirit of camaraderie the OTL community has shared through the decades.
CBS 8 spoke to the committee member that started it all. The tournament has been a staple summer event in San Diego since 1952. People would play Over the Line waiting for volleyball courts to open up and they would use the seaweed as lines.
CBS 8 spoke to the with a member of OMBAC, known as Skippy, who says OTL is a time to bring the brotherhood of OMBAC together.
"People you don't see for a year you see again at OTL, they come out of the woodworks," said Skippy.
Seven years ago Skippy started the OM Memorial, as a way to recognize the fallen members of the club.
"Our past president said to me, we need to have something to memorialize our fallen brothers every year we have this get together on the first Sunday at noon," said Skippy.
The names of those who have passed are read aloud and a bell is rung to honor them. The club ends the ceremony with a toast.
"So we don't forget who started this event and don't want to forget the brotherhood, and keep this comradery going," said Skippy.
Sue Feldman grew up going to OTL and said these members were like family.
"A lot of these guys were like father figures to me, and coming out every year feels like a family reunion," said Feldman.
She said from the outside looking in, it may not seem like it, but it's a club full of love.
"OTL is known for trashy and funky team names that are kind of unsayable at times but the heart and the thought and the love that goes into this sport is amazing," said Feldman.
Skippy says the future of the club is up to the next generation, and he hopes they continue on a San Diego tradition.
"I would love to see young people play over the line and bring it back to it's heyday," Skippy said. "Now is the time to attend," said Skippy.
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