Back Alley celebrates 50th birthday with all-day bash

Since its opening day on Oct. 5, 1957, in the Indiana Memorial Union, the Back Alley has offered both students and the Bloomington community with billiards, bowling and birthday parties. But today, the Back Alley will be celebrating its own 50th birthday. \n“Literally we’re throwing a birthday party for the Back Alley,” said Corbin Smyth, IMU assistant director of activities and events. \nThe IMU will sponsor the event, which includes free bowling and billiards all day and a celebration from 4 to 7 p.m., complete with hot dogs, lemonade and, of course, birthday cake. There will also be prizes, including free one-year memberships, and cosmic bowling starting at 7 p.m.\nFrom the 1939 Billiard Room to the 1962 Union brochures advertising “fully automatic and air-conditioned bowling lanes” to today, the Back Alley has historically been a vital part of the IMU and IU, organizers said. \n“We certainly want to have a place on campus for students to relax during any given time, to learn recreational skills and bowling, which is a lifelong sport,” said Bruce Jacobs, IMU interim executive director. “The Back Alley contains a big aspect of the Union: to serve the needs of the students, faculty, staff and alumni.”\nThe Back Alley is usually a busy spot, with an estimated 350 to 400 students a day during the school week, and even more during its busiest hours between 7 p.m. and midnight Friday and Saturday evenings. The center has a usually constant flow of 3,000 students weekly. \n“We’re a pretty popular place,” said John Bower, assistant coordinator of indoor recreation. “It gets busier as the weather starts to get colder, but it’s fairly constant.” \nThe Union is expecting a large attendance at today’s birthday celebration. \n“I think a lot of folks are associated with it,” Jacobs said. “A lot of people bowl and take classes there. I think we’ll get a nice turn out.”