Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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: ’ ; bed races down McKinley got underway. | Throughout the afternoon, the cowboy thats went sailing as team after team raced against ‘the clock and each other for the fastest time down the 100-yard track. Pi Beta Phi sorority cap- tured the women’s crown, and ‘the Delta Chi fraternity Rack Monsters won the men’s divi- sion. While the two champions were relishing their victories, other ‘teams were satisfied with more fundamental accomplishments, ‘such as finishing alive and in one piece. ‘We didn’t crash!” said ‘Jenny Whitney, Greenwood freshman, after her team had run their second race. ‘‘We went off into the crowd last time, but we went straight this time.”’ - Brad Hellman, Columbus, Ohio, junior, had no breath left for such elation after his team’s race. ‘I feel worn-out and out-of- | shape,”’ he huffed. Hellman said the quintet had trained exten- sively for the big event. ‘“‘We drank a lot of beer,’’ he said, and then went off with his exhausted teammates to resume training for next year. | THURSDAY, Sept. 29, 6:15 | p.m.: “If you haven’t got a part- ner, find one! said WTHR-TV channel 13 announcer Nancy Rodgers. ‘‘We’re going to need every pair of lips.”’ Slowly, the couples trickled in- to the giant circle of people on LaFollette Field, ready to dedicate their lips to the cause of setting a new world record for the most couples to be kissing at the same time. The target number was 1,500 couples, but with just 15 minutes to go until kiss-off, the prospects for suc- cess were looking grim. The massive speakers continued to blare music, the crowd waited and the clock kept ticking. 6:20: ‘“‘We’re here ’cause we’re here,”’ explained Lynda Gonza, Fort Wayne sophomore, with her arms wrapped arou nd boyfriend Park Grinder, Hun- tertown sophomore. ‘‘Even if we don’t break the record, who cares? It’s still a lot of fun.”’ 6:25: “‘We’re getting close!’’ said Rodgers, stretching the truth a bit. Meanwhile, gate at- tendants kept handing sticks of chewing gum to newly arriving couples, while a few dedicated couples in the ring began warm- ing up for the crucial moments. 6:30: “For crying out loud,”’ said Rodgers to the bystanders looking on, ‘‘what’s wrong with you people? Don’t you like to kiss?”’ 6:35: Several more sets of badly-needed lips arrived on the scene, but they wouldn’t be do- ing any kissing; it was only the band arriving for the pep rally to come later that night. 6:45: I have some good news and some bad news,” said Rodgers. ‘‘We’re not going to be able to break the record for the most couples kissing, but we can break the record for the longest kiss by the most couples.” Cheers rang out from the more than 400 couples as Rodgers ex- plained that they’d be attemp- ting a three and one-half minute smooch. “T think it’s great, and it’s go- ing to be a lot of fun.“‘ said Jerry Alan Holmes, Anderson fresh- man. At his side, Marla Banther, Anderson sophomore, said, ‘‘I wanted to do it last year, but he chickened out.’’ This time, there would be no turning back. Gea, MMe. WR cs TDs. one... smooch!”’ cried Rodgers. The crowd took a giant collec- tive breath, and with Michael Jackson’s ‘‘Human Nature”’ drifting into the cool night air, smooched their way into history. Afterward there was a ba- nana-eating contest among the football players, a pep rally lead by cheerleaders, and then a bon- fire. As the brilliant flames slap- ped at the dark, autumn sky, couples huddled around the fire and watched the blaze while some practiced for the possiblity of another smooch-off, some time in the future. FRIDAY, Sept. 30: Side-by-- side the two shirtless men sat quietly on a small riser. In less than an hour they would become The lowdown on the hoedown two crotchety old men perform- ing in the musical revue, ‘“‘Make Mine Country Style.’’ But at that moment, they were just a couple of nervous actors about to make their theatrical debuts. “This is just altogether bad,”’ said Gary Russell, Mooresville sophomore. ‘‘We’ve never done anything like this before and I’m pretty nervous.”’ Russe ll would be playing the role of the Muppet character Waldorf, while Mark Martin, Logansville senior, would be cast as his sidekick, Statler. “Tt’s a one-shot deal for us,” said Martin. ‘‘We’ve got some pretty good parts, all of them strategically laced in the show.”’ When the curtain went up the two were in character and as cantankerous as their television counterparts. Kermit and Miss Piggy as well as a menegerie of Muppets helped to entertain the crowd at Emens Auditorium with a little bit of song and dance. Charlie Cardinal joined in as guest star. It was a solid act, one that even Statler and Waldorf had trouble com- plaining about, although they did, of course, have plenty to say about it. Another new role was assum- ed after the show when Ana San- chez, Lafayette senior, was crowned Homecoming Queen. Sanchez represented Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Though she was suffering from a cold that had left her nearly hoarse, San- chez still managed to keep both her smile and her crown in place. ‘‘When it got down to the last runner-up, I didn’t think I’d have a chance,”’ she said, her voice dried from the fever. ‘“‘But I tried to be optimistic.” Earlier in the day, students were vying for somewhat dif- ferent honors at the County Fair in the Village. The local shop windows were adorned with displays, and the Wood Band plucked out country music for the crowd. The event was sparsely attended, but that didn’t put a damper on the com- petition in the pie-eating and CONTINUED CLOWNS may not have been coun- try, but they were still a part of the Homecoming Parade. One such clown stops to taik to children in the crowd as she strolls the parade route. Photo by Ann Hollenbeck MARCHING to the beat of a drum wasn’t easy for some members of the band, especially when they had to carry the drum, too. The Pride of Mid-America was one of the major parts of the Homecoming Parade. Phota by Steve Buchanan Homecoming 23

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+ J ol WHEN BALL STATE went coun- try, everyone got in on the act. Brian Thomas, Muncie freshman, unsuc- cessfully attempts to ride the mechanical bull set up in the middle of LaFollette Field. Oscar was one of the featured guests at Tuesday's events. Photo by Ann Hollenbeck BETWEEN SHOWS, singer Rita Coolidge greets members of the Homecoming Steering Committee in her dressing room. Coolidge replaced the injured Ben Vereen for the Homecoming show. Vereen’s no show caused a number of cancella- tions and low ticket sales caused financial problems for Homecoming. Photo by Tom Amiot Homecoming AFTER A SERIES of interviews and a variety of competitions, Ana Sanchez, Lafayette senior, was named the 1983 Homecoming Queen. Sanchez, a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, is crowned by Kelly Simpson, Muncie junior, and Sande Schrier, 1982 Homecoming Queen. Photo by Tom Amiot

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President Robert Homecoming Chairman Jeri Meditch, Syracuse senior, leaves the football field after presenting the 1983 Homecom- ing Queen crown to Ana San- chez, Lafayette senior, and her court.Photo by Tom Amiot AS ONE of a twelve member squad, Jed Speakman, Decatur sophomore, tries to keep the crowd's interest and enthusiasm up during the Homecoming game, despite the fact that Ball State was trailing Northern II- linois for most of the entire game. Photo by Tom Amiot 24 Homecoming