# Competition on the courts leads to collaboration off 

/ Published Sept. 20, 2023
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., 
Members of the Defense Logistics Agency within the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center work as a team each day ensuring the agency remains the nation’s combat logistics agency, but recently set their sights on a new goal – winning the Corporate Cup.

The Corporate Cup is an annual tradition that pits local businesses within the Battle Creek, Michigan, area against each other in a week-long friendly competition. Each business builds a roster made up of their employees to compete in 11 varied events such as volleyball, cornhole and relay races to name a few. Federal Center participation was from across the DLA family including Disposition Services, information operations, logistics information and installation management.

“I’m a big fan of anything that brings people together,” MWR Sports and Fitness Manager Randy Holt said. “This brought people together with one common goal and that was to try and do well in this event while trying to have fun as well.”

Members of the DLA team accomplished more than just having fun as they were able to perform in an environment some were unaccustomed to.

“Being involved in the Corporate Cup was definitely out of my comfort zone but knowing I had support from my teammates made it much more welcoming and fun,” said Miranda Grafmyer, who is a member of the Pathways to Career Excellence program and a Cup participant. “It was a great experience for team building and using creative problem solving on a whim when we realized we wanted to win for the Federal Center.”

Different areas of DLA often join forces as a part of daily workflow. Such is the case for LogInfo and Disposition Services working together as part of the MIA/POW program helping recover servicemembers missing from past conflicts. Holt also stressed the importance of how collaborating on the court during this event can build teamwork off the court.

“This brought people together from other areas of the agency and they came together while building camaraderie,” Holt said. “It’s not just people you’re comfortable with it’s people that you may not have ever dealt with before and you get to know more people in the building which can help you in your day-to-day tasks.”

The competition’s goal is to create spirit within the city in a positive manner while also encouraging fitness and Holt echoed the support he received from HDIFC participants.

“Overall, it was a positive experience,” Holt said. “I got a lot of feedback from people saying that they really liked it, and they had fun. So, I feel really good about it because people enjoyed it.”

For the 2023 Cup, the Federal Center placed fifth overall including first place finishes in volleyball and the tug-of-war events.

                The Defense Logistics Agency's dodgeball team poses after earning a third place finish during Battle Creek, Michigan's Corporate Cup.                            DLA's dodgeball team                            The Defense Logistics Agency's dodgeball team poses after earning a third place finish during Battle Creek, Michigan's Corporate Cup.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: DLA Disposition ServicesVIRIN: 230920-D-D0441-1017