By Lauren Henderson
Indiana University homecoming week offered many opportunities to donate and give back to the community. Events like Big Man On Campus, the Nearly Naked Mile and a corn hole tournament, got IU students into the homecoming spirit while raising money for breast cancer research, My Sister’s Closet and United Way of Monroe County.
Big Man On Campus is the annual philanthropy for Zeta Tau Alpha and raises money for breast cancer research. BMOC was named the “kick off to homecoming,” and took place at the
IU Auditorium on Oct. 9. The event consisted of 23 men, from fraternities around campus, showing off their talents in dancing, singing, comedy and any other talent they had to offer.
“We have currently raised over $193,000,” said Emily Stern, Zeta co-chair of philanthropy. “At the show it was announced that we raised $190,713. After expenses are paid off, we will be able to donate over $150,000.”
All the money was raised from t-shirt and ticket sales around campus. This year almost every t-shirt and ticket was sold, and around 4,000 attended BMOC.
“We didn’t really have a specific monetary goal this year, but the total definitely exceeded our expectations,” Stern said.
The show consisted of an opening dance performed by all the contestants. Then each competitor performed a talent for the judges. Some of the judges were, cancer survivor Adrienne
Harlow, Felisha Legette-Jack, IU women’s basketball coach, Miss Indiana Nicole Pollard and
Pete Goldsmith, IU Dean of Students.
The winning contestant was the one who raised the most amount of money and had a good talent. The scores were based on stage performance, creativity, musical talent, and fan

enthusiasm. Tyler Webb, junior in Theta Chi, was named BMOC. Webb also won the award for biggest fundraiser after raising $18,000 for the event.
“It really was a great feeling to win BMOC,” Webb said. “Ever since my best friend won
Big Man On Campus, I have wanted to be involved. It was for such a great cause and it did not hurt that I had a fun time doing it.”
The Nearly Naked Mile, which took place Oct. 12, also raised money to benefit a cause.
To participate in the event, runners either had to donate two gently used clothing items or donate
$10. All monetary and clothing donations collected at the event were donated to My Sister’s
Closet and United Way of Monroe County.
Students, alumni and friends of IU got nearly naked and ran through campus in spirit of homecoming week. All participants were required to finish the race with no less than what a swimsuit would cover up.
“It was really funny to watch everyone running around barely dressed in the cold,” said
Clinton Bugno, undecided freshman. “It was pretty exciting how everyone was getting into it though.”
The course started in Dunn Meadow, wrapped around the student foundation building, went through campus and ended at the sample gates. Participants had the option of either running or walking the mile.
The Indiana Running Company also donated headbands to the first 500 participants to register online and bagel chips were handed out, for free bagels at the Bloomington Bagel
Company.

“The ultimate goal was to help organizations around Bloomington,” said Amanda Stahl, vice president of homecoming. “I feel like we definitely accomplished that goal with everything that we did.”
Even though the goal was to have 1,000 registered participants, the amount of people to partake grew from last year’s 750 to this year’s 950 participants. With everyone donating two articles of clothing, there were over 25 large trash bags of clothing collected.
“I was very proud of my philanthropy team and their work to make this event a success,” said Katie Gravatt, vice president of philanthropy. “The turnout was fantastic, and we were so glad to unite the campus in such a fun, unique way.”
After the race, an after- party, hosted by Bucceto’s, took place for the all participants.
The first 50 register guests received free all-you-can-eat pizza; while everyone else could eat all they wanted for $5.
The last fundraising event to take place during homecoming week was the corn hole tournament. The tournament took place on Oct. 14. Teams of two signed up to participate in the
3 rd
annual corn hole tournament, and all proceeds were donated to United Way of Monroe
County.
The event was originally due to take place in Dunn Meadow, but due to the rain the location was switched to the Devault Alumni Center. The tournament also included live music, food, a bonfire and s’mores.
“For such a cold and rainy night, I was pretty impressed with the turn-out,” said Conor
McIntyre, director of student programs. “Even though the attendance was a decrease from last year, I felt the turn-out was good overall, especially considering the weather.”

The Greek Strategic Planning Committee worked to get two representatives from each
Greek house to participate in the event. They helped make up 125 teams that competed for the championship, and each team had two chances to win. There was a loser’s bracket and a winner’s bracket. The tournament ended up raising approximately $600 to donate.
“The goal was to provide an opportunity to build community, enhance tradition, and give back to the community,” McIntyre said.
Not only did participants show up to event, but also other students, volunteers and family members showed up to cheer on the teams. The Big Ten Network was also present at the tournament. They were their filming the event and interviewing students about their tournament experiences. Whether the event will be aired has still not been announced.
After the week of homecoming, $150,600 and 25 bags of clothing will be donated to charities around Bloomington. Also, 1,223 members of the Bloomington community will have taken up some of their time to help find a cure of breast cancer and cloth and help the needy.

Conor McIntyre comcinty@indiana.edu
812-855-4670
Emily Stern egstern@umail.iu.edu
214-215-0364
Tyler Webb
Btwebb@indiana.edu
317-503-1375
Amanda Stahl stahla@indiana.edu
414-331-4789
Katie Gravatt kgravatt@indiana.edu
(812) 855-4822
Clinton Bugno cfbugno@umail.iu.edu
847-732-1893