Big Man on Campus raises $147,000 for breast cancer research

Members of IU’s fraternities competed for the title, but Alpha Tau Omega senior Alex Rich was crowned this year’s Big Man on Campus during sorority Zeta Tau Alpha’s  fundraiser for breast cancer awareness and research.

Senior Nick Caputo of Sigma Pi won the prize for best talent for his performance of the song “Suga Suga” by Baby Bash during the talent show Friday night in the IU
Auditorium.

During the last four years, the women of Zeta have promoted their Big Man on Campus fundraiser for the fight against breast cancer.

Collections are donated to the IU Simon Medical Center, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Zeta’s foundation Think Pink.

Warming up the contestants and the audience, the men joined Zeta women in a choreographed dance.

The 23 men from different fraternity houses competed against one another  for the title of Big Man on Campus.

Last year, the event raised about $191,000, while Friday night’s BMOC raised $147,049.81 for breast cancer research.

Junior Zeta member Shannon O’Malley manned the donation table, urging spectators to donate to their favorite performing man.

“There is a boy here from every frat,” she said. “The boy with the most money will win the BMOC title.”

According to the American Cancer Society, of 4,400 cases of breast cancer diagnosed in a year, 900 of them will not survive.

More than 2 million Americans  have been diagnosed with the disease, and many still are battling through.

Zeta began the BMOC talent show to spread awareness about the research and
education of breast cancer.
 
Funds collected from the talent show allow the sorority to provide mammograms, diagnostic breast services and other related services to women in need.

“These guys raise money all semester,” O’Malley said. “They canvas and publicize all semester long.”

Zeta members collected donations at the talent show and are still accepting donations online.

O’Malley said people donated for Zeta’s Sweetheart, Best Talent, Second Runner-Up, Mary Beth Kraft Award, People’s Choice and Best Coaches.

Also at the donation table was junior sorority sister Shannon Shobe.

“We urge people to donate for their favorite boy or favorite performance,” Shobe said. “Last year I saw a cute guy and voted.”

Sophomore Sigma Delta Tau member Hannah DeBear said she enjoyed the event.

“This is my first time to the event,” she said. “It was fun and a great way to support breast cancer awareness and other sorority philanthropies.”