A Ball State University sports administration class raised more than $700 at a Frisbee golf tournament yesterday, The money will be given to the American Red Cross to benefit people affected by recent flooding in Southern Indiana.
Aundrea Lyons, assistant professor of physical education, said she was relieved to see clear skies on the day of the event her class had planned.
"It's a beautiful afternoon," Lyons said. "It's not too hot, and it's nice in the evening. The turnout is great."
During the second summer session of classes, Lyons is teaching an upper-level sports administration class aimed at improving students' knowledge about, and ability to plan, sporting events. The students in the class are responsible for planning every aspect of a sporting event.
Class member Caleb Baker said the students were in control of the event from the very beginning.
"We could put on any event we want, and our class decided to do disk golf," Baker said. "Then we broke into groups like marketing, public relations, logistics and finance. And each one of those groups did their own part to put on the event."
After seeing the students work during the past five weeks, Lyons said she was happy with Wednesday's tournament.
"The students have done a wonderful job," she said. "I've been really impressed with how they've stood up and took this whole event on. The main thing is for them to get experience putting on a sporting event and to be able to give back to the community."
The money raised at the event came from sponsors, a $5 player donation and a tip jar many players put money in. Lyons said in years past Wal-Mart had matched the amount raised by the class. She added that as of Wednesday, we had yet to hear if the company would do the same for this class.
Over recent years Frisbee golf has gained in popularity in the area, said Sean Lovelace, Ball State English professor and faculty administrator to the student disc golf club. As a result, several people worked to create the course at McCulloch Park.
Lovelace said events such as the one held Wednesday were the biggest reason his group sought for the course to be created.
"This is a perfect example of why we put the course in," Lovelace said. "We knew the community would get involved, and there would be tournaments, and we had the ability to help charities."
Lyons said registration for Wednesday's event was walk-up only. While people could not preregister, 27 people showed up to take part in the tournament.
Several people at the event commented about the large turnout.
"I'm impressed with the turnout," Baker said. "At first I wasn't sure we'd get very many people, but apparently the interest is high for this sport."
Muncie resident Kennon Houck, who plays Frisbee golf at the park several times a week, said he was excited by the number of people who showed up for the charity event.
"I think it's cool that people showed up, and I think it's awesome that we're doing something for flood relief," he said.
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