Big Man on Campus event raises money for breast cancer
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 02/22/2010
Kevin Daly | Senior Photographer
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Students dressed in outfits resembling those for Breakfast Club and Mardi Gras stormed Elliott Hall of Music Friday night to watch their favorite contestant compete in Zeta Tau Alpha’s Big Man on Campus.
Performances of the night included rock bands, imitations of Lady Gaga and Beyoncé, Super Mario, a feature of songs from the ’60s to the ’00s, and a stunt comparable only to one of Blue Man Group. Some of the contestants even brought breast cancer survivors on the stage to emphasize the need to fight.
During intermission, audience members had the opportunity to bid in a silent auction and donate money toward their favorite contestant. The contestant with the most money donated in his name was to be crowned Big Man on Campus.
Nicole King, a junior in the College of Consumer and Family Sciences and a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, said it was her third time attending Big Man on Campus.
“It is really good of (the participants) to do this,” King said. “It is nice that they get together and put aside their own houses for one cause.”
Male audience members had similar assessments of the impact of BMOC on raising awareness in the community.
Alex Brockman, a senior in the School of Management and a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, said BMOC gets better each year and provides a fun Friday night activity.
“It is a very good cause and Zeta Tau Alpha raises a lot of money,” Brockman said. “Guys should be more involved in women’s rights and issues.”
Zeta Tau Alpha sorority did raise quite a bit of money, with a total of approximately $127,000 – an increase of roughly $18,000 from last year.
At the end of the night, Jimmy Kauffman, a junior in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and a member of Delta Chi fraternity, was announced the winner of Big Man on Campus, much to the excitement of his fellow fraternity brothers.
In a state of disbelief, Kauffman accepted his crown and trophy as his fraternity brothers exploded into cheers.
For video of the event, click here.
“I can’t believe this is real; I am so ecstatic,” Kauffman said. “The fight does not end here; we definitely will be actively involved in this cause.”
Trevor Fenimore, a junior in the College of Liberal Arts and member of Delta Chi fraternity, said he was elated that Kauffman won.
“When he told me he was going to do this, I was ecstatic,” Fenimore said. “My own mother had breast cancer and had to have a double mastectomy. To see him do this was incredible and very important to me. I have been sending out text messages since he was announced.”
Nick Michel, a junior in the College of Agriculture and member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, was the first runner-up, and Travis Pour, a senior in the College of Engineering and a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, was second runner-up.