Students had fun busting watermelons at the 37th annual Watermelon Bust sponsored by the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Alpha Chi Omega sorority Sunday at LaFollette Field.
Watermelon Bust was a huge success this year, junior organizer Austin Gerber said. More than 70 teams competed and raised more than $10,000.
"It's a lot bigger this year," Gerber said. "Public relations were a lot bigger than last year. It was a big group effort by Delta Tau Delta and Alpha Chi Omega."
All proceeds from Watermelon Bust will go to A Better Way and The American Red Cross.
Many students gathered on LaFollette Field to participate in the philanthropic event. Most students were playing to win.
K.C. Philips, a sophomore member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, said it would be a major disappointment if his team did not win.
Many teams practiced weeks before Watermelon Bust in order to prepare for the event.
Senior R.T. Thomas, a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, said his team practiced at Marsh Supermarket for a Watermelon Bust boot camp.
"You have to go to the produce section and do work," Thomas said.
Watermelon Bust featured various events involving watermelons. Some of the events were a tug-of-war, a dunk tank and different relay races. There was also a DJ at Watermelon Bust.
Sophomore telecommunications major Kyle Binder said the dunk tank was his favorite event.
"I have the accuracy of a nuclear missile and a laser rocket arm," Binder said.
R.T. Thomas said he liked the tug-of-war because it showed off his masculinity.
"[It's] always good to be able to puff you chest out," Thomas said.
There were a large number of first-year Watermelon Bust participants at the event.
Sophomore special education and elementary education double major Amanda Fuller said she expected to have fun and help out a good cause.
Sophomore Stephanie Lemus, a member of the Delta Zeta sorority, said getting dressed up and spending time with her sorority sisters was her favorite part of the event.
Senior Maurice Harding, a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, said he enjoyed watching his fraternity compete.
"Just having fun and partnering up with the ladies of Chi Omega [was my favorite part]," Harding said.
Most participants enjoyed the overall atmosphere of Watermelon Bust.
"This is what greek life is all about," Junior Heather Czajkowski, a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
