Students holding water pong tournament Tuesday for charity

The party atmosphere is now being used to benefit non-profit organizations.

From 7:30 to 11 p.m. Tuesday at the Finch Fieldhouse, Pong 101 is being held to raise money for the United Way of Isabella County.

This charitable event, organized by RPL 430 students, will consist of water pong, and a non-alcoholic course for the last two teams filled with pong, dizzy bat, flippy cup and the ROTC blow-up obstacle.

“There were two things that we had to keep in mind,” said Traverse City junior Allison Balow. “One was to raise money, and the other was to give it to a non-profit organization.”

The groups will be made into two-man teams.

“There needs to be at least 16 teams, because eight isn’t really enough for a single elimination bracket,” said Holton junior Aaron Coon.

Some things have even been changed to increase the amount of people not only playing but watching as well.

“We’ve lowered the price of entry fee down to $6 per person instead of $10,” Coon said.

With $12 per team more manageable, the group running the charity event also considered the price of the audience. At first just being able to watch in the balcony at Finch Fieldhouse would cost all spectators $1. Now they have all been given free entry.

“We’ve been thinking that it would just be more of a party atmosphere with the spectators down near the table cheering for their team,” Balow said.

With the change in cost, also came a change in their goal. From $300 to $400, the goal had fallen to $200. However, a raffle is taking place during the night for $1.

The winner and runner-up are battling for sports tickets.

The winner gets to pick between a pair of Red Wings and Pistons tickets, Balow said. Runner-up gets the tickets the other team didn’t pick.

In the past the class has held different charity events, such as a golf tournament that raised more than $3,000. Since the spring of 2005, the class taught by Tim Otteman, assistant professor in the Recreation Parks and Leisure Services, there have been 24 programs that have raised more than $51,000.

“There have been 5K walks, Madden and poker tournaments,” Otteman said. “It’s a neat thing what they’re doing this year, turning what is usually a negative thing, into a positive one.”

Students can sign up before the event, but signing up ahead of time is preferred. Contact Balow at (989) 274-4835.