Inflatables to take over Alumni Hall

As an alternative to the parties and chaos of Little 500 weekend, the Indiana Memorial Union Board will be giving students the opportunity to relax and expand upon their weekend activities. \nThe IMU Late Night Sports Competition, sponsored by Union Board, will include four different interactive inflatables: the Rat Race Obstacle Challenge, Bouncy Boxing, Moonwalk and Bungee Run. The event will be held from 10 to 12:30 p.m. Thursday in Alumni Hall.\nDavid Dawson, IMU After Hours director, said he thinks the event should be fairly successful.\n"I think students will really enjoy it," Dawson said. "Students will be able to kick back, relax and have a good time."\nThe inflatables, which were rented from Record-a-Hit Entertainment, cost the Union Board nearly $3,000, but Dawson said the benefits of the event will outweigh the costs.\n"Since it will be near finals, students will have the opportunity to just take their mind off of things," Dawson said. "We've brought inflatables in for students to use before, and it has been mildly successful for the most part."\nAs part of the event, participants will compete in the various inflatable settings and will be awarded points to increase their chances of winning one of the many prizes. Andrew Goldberg, an IMU After Hours committee member, said every person involved in the event will have a chance to win some of the prizes. Goldberg said prizes will include DVDs, CDs and much more.\n"Participants will be issued punch cards with which they will receive punches upon participating in each inflatable event," Goldberg said. "Once participants have completed each event or challenge, they can turn their punch card in and are thus eligible for a prize drawing at the end of the evening."\nThough the event is currently themed the "2004 Union Board Inflatable Sports Adventure," Goldberg said this is not the real title, and the Union Board is in the process of creating one. No matter what title the event is given, Goldberg said he expects a great deal of student participation.\n"We hope to see around 500 students turn out for the event," Goldberg said. "That may be conservative or optimistic considering the time of year."\nFreshman Danny Perry said he is uncertain of the potential success of the event but feels it will be beneficial to some students.\n"Some students would possibly be interested in something like this if they are looking for a wholesome, good time," Perry said. "I think for part of the student population it will be a relaxing thing to do before finals, however, clearly not the majority of students would be interested in something like this on a Thursday night."\nNonetheless, Perry said the event should help discourage drinking and will give students a sober, safe setting to spend a weekend night.\n"I think it will deter some from drinking, but obviously not all," Perry said. "Partying is just way too popular on this campus."\nFor more information about the interactive inflatables, visit www.recordahit.com. Also, more information regarding the event may be found under the Union Board link at www.imu.indiana.edu. \n-- Contact staff writer Matt Mattucci at mmattucc@indiana.edu.