Big Man on Campus raises $191,000 for cancer research

Standing amidst mobs of women in tight black dresses and men in suits, senior Logan Good, a participant from Phi Kappa Sigma at Big Man on Campus, stood out in his blue overalls, red undershirt and fake felt mustache.

“I’ve been here since about 3:30 p.m.,” Good said. “The crew got here around 5 p.m.”

At about 6:40 p.m., he checked sound, and then he sorted through all of his gear, flipping through cardboard cutouts of cartoon turtles, shells and coins for his Super Mario Bros. reenactment. His crew showed up and began yelling and laughing.

Around this time, Logan’s mother, Jami Good, arrived. She’s not only his mother, she’s a breast cancer survivor and Good’s main motivation for joining the BMOC cause: raising money for breast cancer research.

She was diagnosed at 15 and said cancer is not something that can ever be fully cured. The hardest part was telling her children about her history with the disease.

“I didn’t keep it a secret, but I didn’t tell them until they were teens,” Jami Good said.

While talking about her son, Jami Good snapped photos of him with various members of his fraternity.

“I kind of had a feeling this was coming,” she said. “He’s been so heartfelt for family. Logan has always been determined to accomplish all he has set out for.”

He said he wasn’t nervous before the event.

“I’m more excited than anything else,” he said from behind his mustache. “I’m sure my adrenaline will be pumping.”

Before 7 p.m., the auditorium began to fill. Zeta Tau Alpha women ushered students around the silent auction area and into their seats.

The lights were dimmed just after 7 p.m., and students waved pink glowsticks in the air. A kick-off video of all of the featured men played, and each participant’s respective fraternity cheered.

Throughout the show, which raised $191,000 for breast cancer research, the excitement didn’t dampen. There were 24 performances, most of them singing or
dancing presentations.

Some chose to write their lyrics, such as Trey Dunn of Delta Upsilon, whose lyrics about drinking prompted much laughter from the crowd. Kevin Cox of Kappa Sigma gave a shout out to all affected by breast cancer and girls in the audience, “from D cups to A’s.”

Daniel Riggs, a senior from Phi Delta Theta, gave a performance that had the crowd singing along. He threw beach balls into the crowd, which were circulated for the rest of the show.

When Good’s name was called, a roar of cheering washed from the audience
toward the stage.

Super Mario music began to play, and he emerged from behind a black curtain. Then his crew came out carrying cutouts of clouds and coins, which Good punched in time to the musical cues.

At the end of his act, Wampler indeed emerged in “quite the outfit.” He wore a tiny pink dress, impersonating Princess Peach, and Good ushered him back behind the curtain to the tune of “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” by Mike Posner to wild applause.

After all the men had performed, the Zeta philanthropy chairwomen announced the winners and the total amount raised.

Mr. Congeniality and Favorite Contestant was Alex Rich of Alpha Tau Omega. Most Talented was Matt Tatum of Phi Gamma Delta. Greatest Philanthropy was Riggs, who raised about $22,000. Good was voted Zeta Sweetheart.

The BMOC Court was announced next. Third runner-up was Rich. Second runner-up was Good. First runner-up was Adam Kallaus of Theta Chi.

The new Big Man on Campus was Riggs.

“I was not expecting this at all,” he said after the show while wearing the furry BMOC crown. “I got to find my family after this.”

His fraternity brothers found him and began cheering and slapping him on the back.
“I’m going to The Bluebird,” Riggs said.

Outside, in front of the auditorium, Good took pictures with his grandpa and mother.
“I think a lot of the other contestants did a really good job,” Good said. “I’m really glad, in retrospect, that I decided to do this my last semester.”

Between photos, Good’s family kept saying how proud they were of him. And Good pointed out, regardless of any of the titles or crowns won, the event still managed to raise so much money.

“That’s what really matters,” Good said.