Talent show to raise funds for breast cancer research

Zeta Tau Alpha’s annual all-male talent show, Big Man on Campus, intends to raise  funds once again this year for breast cancer research and awareness.

This event is considered the largest Greek-led philanthropic effort in the country and  will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 in the IU Auditorium.

The talent show will feature 28 men from 24 various campus organizations, specifically fraternities and the Evan’s Scholars.

These men will perform various acts, including singing, dancing and playing instruments. A parody of “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus performed by one of the contestants is also scheduled, Aly Ricker, Zeta philanthropy chair and IU junior, said.

Tickets cost $20 at the door and $15 in advance. Tickets are available for early purchase on their website, bmociu.com.

Proceeds from the event will help fund breast cancer research and awareness initiatives.

“Everyone works for this cause,” Ricker said. “One in eight people will get breast cancer during their lives. We always say, ‘Fight for your sisters.’”

This year, the proceeds will go to the NFL Pink Ribbon Project and the IU School of Medicine for further breast cancer research, she said.

“We just want people to be aware of the things they can do for breast cancer prevention,” she said. “Things like getting mammograms and monthly self-checks. We want to spread awareness through our pink ribbons as well.”

In addition to winning a trophy and the title of Big Man on Campus, the winner will also get a portion of the funds donated to a philanthropic organization of his choice.

Each competing organization is assigned a “sorority coach,” someone to help them along in the pageant process.

These coaches provide moral support and help their contestants raise money in order to increase their scores.

Alpha Xi Delta Panhellenic Delegate and IU junior Tessa Angermeier will be a sorority coach for the second year in a row.

This year, she and fellow coach and sister, junior Abby Ostmeyer, will be supporting two members of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

“It’s really fun being a coach,” Angermeier said. “It’s really relaxed. Zeta lets you do however much work you do or don’t want to do.”

Many sororities have two coaches, and many fraternities usually have one or two participants, she said.

“It’s a really good way to bring lots of campus organizations together,” Angermeier said. “It makes the Greek campus come together for a good cause.”

This year, Zeta is also allowing the coaches to participate with the men in their acts. In addition to the coaches, participants are also free to use other members of their organizations as props, back-up dancers or singers.

“It’s a really funny show,” Angermeier said. “The boys embarrass themselves on stage, but in a good way.”

This event offers multiple opportunities for the participants to raise money through multiple outlets, she said.

All of the participants are encouraged to raise money prior to the event through online donations, canning or ticket and t-shirt sales.

Each of these will be converted into points for each participant. Points are also given during the event itself.

Participants must excel in multiple categories in order to win, and every way they fundraise will contribute to their overall points.

“It’s not actually a popularity contest. It’s still a philanthropy,” Angermeier said.

Follow Greek life reporter Tori Lawhorn on Twitter @ToriLawhorn.