LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - With the sixth annivery of flight 5191 just two weeks away, dozens gathered to honor one of the victims.
The sixth annual Fenton Dawson Memorial Volleyball Tournament was held Sunday.
Dawson, an avid volleyball player died when Comair flight 5191 crashed shortly after take off from Blue Grass Airport in 2006.
Dozens of players warmed up their bodies to play volleyball to remember a man they say warmed their hearts.
"It means a lot because Fenton, every time you saw him, he had a smile on his face. And he loved playing Volleyball. You're getting a combination of that here--between the volleyball and all the smiles. It's just fun," said Maria Murphy, a friend of Fenton's
The annual Fenton Dawson Memorial Volleyball Tournament is bigger than ever this year, with organizers saying the level of play is bumping up.
"Turnout is amazing this year. We actually had to turn away 14 teams this year, but that's a good problem to have," said event organizer Stephanie Clark.
"I'm taking away a lot of love; my team is all family. He was part of our family. Seeing Marsha and the kids, everybody being together, it's special," Murphy said.
Organizers say local high school Volleyball teams donating their time to help referee also adds a special twist to the tournament, aloowing the players to raise more money for charity.
Clark says, "It's the one time a year these people see each other. Year after year, a lot of these people play in volleyball tournaments across the state, but when they come here it's family and friends. And the competition comes second to that."