Some came for a good cause. Some came for pizza. All gamed for victory.
On Friday and Saturday, the Apartment Residence Tenants’ Association (ARTA) invaded the UC Down Under armed with Xboxes and pizza for the Frag for a Cure event. The small corner of the room was filled with almost 50 participants.
The money raised accumulated to almost $400 over the two-night span through tournament entry fees and donations. All proceeds were donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The main organizer of the event was Joshua Campbell, junior in mathematics. Overall, Campbell was extremely pleased with the great turnout at the event.
“We brought in a great haul for St. Jude,” Campbell said. “It was really refreshing to see students pitching in to game for a good cause.”
Campbell said the inaugural event raised $343 for the research hospital. and had a pretty good turnout.
“We’re looking to have more events like this next year,” Campbell said.
Not all students came to show off their gaming skills.
Tyler Dinwiddie, junior in sociology, came to help organize and donate.
“I was impressed by other people’s skills,” Dinwiddie said. “The Starcraft Club definitely blew me away. I’m glad I had the opportunity to help play a role in an event like this.”
Chris Rubens, junior in mechanical engineering, attended to support the organization that hosted this event.
“The one who coordinated this event is one of my residents, and I wanted to support (ARTA),” Rubens said.
Students filed in to participate in the two-day festivities as well as to check out new devices brought in by companies like Sony and Ubisoft.
Kyle Walker, freshman in biochemistry and molecular biology, was excited to have this opportunity to meet people and game for a cause.
“I haven’t really gone to many events at UT,” Walker said. “I spend most of my time in my room playing video games, and this gives me an opportunity to attend an event that will benefit a lot of people as well as help me meet others and break out of the confines of my room.”
Campbell was optimistic about the event’s future.
“I hope we can keep playing games for a good cause for years to come,” Campbell said.
