Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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) chart, Bloomington sophomore, who finished first and second runners-up respectively in the queen contest. Hagans was spon- sored by Painter Hall and Nancy by Delta Gamma. But the day belonged: to Karen Roman, Westville junior, spon- sored by Delta Delta Delta. Roman, by virtue of her being one of the top ten finalists in the preceeding week’s penny vote, earned an interview for the final queen selection that Saturday morning. Roman earned the Watermelon Bust Queen crown that afternoon. In the field of athletic endeavor, Wagner, Elliott and Menk Halls finished respectively in the men’s hall division of the Watermelon Bust. Crosley Hall’s first team won the women’s division and Alpha Omicron Pi took the sorority honors. The fraternity division was won by Sigma Phi Epsilon, team two. Following them were Sigma Phi Epsilon Unicorns and Theta Chi continued Many different forms were used in an attempt to toss the watermelon. A member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority uses the underhand toss to establish distance during the Bust.--photo by Kim Ferrill Se ae Special events give students, especially those in theater, a chance to don costumes and make-up for a crowd. Jay Masters, Anderson sophomore, wears a clown costume at Watermelon Bust, which took place on the lawn of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. --photo by Kim Ferrill After the year long planning, some members of Delta Tau Delta and Alpha Chi Omega got a chance to sit back and take a well-deserved rest. But only during the actual day of the Bust. Planning began the very next day for 1981 Bust. --photo by Kim Ferrill Watermelon Bust

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A ¥ Watermelon Bust normally may) fe o oe f se the end of the summer eR beginning ‘of fall. Spectator participants used the Bust as a Seat their last the year. --photo by Kim Ferrill ; Le a; by Bill Thornbro and Patty Light Rain, or in this year’s case, the threat of rain has become as much of a Watermelon Bust tradi- tion as the pre-Bust sexist accusa- tions and the post-Bust trash and litter. The history of the Delta Tau Delta Alpha Chi Omega spon- sored event is cursed with cloudy skies. Approximately 4,000 water- melon enthusiasts huddled, cuddl- ed, nudged, and chowed on the spaceous Delta Tau Delta lawn on Watermelon Bust September |3. They were there not only to celebrate the annual event, but also to renew old friendships and find new ones in this first weekend back from a long summer vacation. Over 700 melons became vic- tims of the fun and games which stretched from early afternoon to early evening. This year’s Bust crowd was again plagued by swarms of bees which were attracted to the sweet smell of the melons splattered on the lawn by both participants and spectators of the annual event. The stars of WISH-television’s P.M. Magazine in Indianapolis, Ball State alumni Kim Hood and Tom Cochran, served as co- masters of ceremonies for the 1980- 81 Bust. Muncie Mayor Alan Wilson and Ball State President Jerry Anderson made special guest appearances. It was even suggested that one way to improve relations between city government and student body would be to have the mayor organize city council members into [most a Watermelon Washout a team for next year’s Bust. When t he sun finally did break through the overcast skies temperatures were high and the day was hot. Certainly the weather didn’t bother the ten queen candidates who rode majestically in the pre- Bust parade in sparkling Chevrolet Corvettes. And Ball State’s Cardettes and rifle corp seemed comfortable enough. Few people enjoyed the day more than Carol Hagans, Green- field sophomore, and Nancy Ben-

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Almost a Washout Taxies. Unlike the previous years ,most of the participants of this year’s watermelon toss were disqualified for dropping and breaking the slip- pery, greased, green melons. Other games in the Bust were seed spitting, watermelon eating contest, and a watermelon head roll. proximately 9:30 p.m. the high energy gave way to an odd sense of anticipation as two police cars with red lights flashing captured the crowd’s attention. Attired in black suits and dark glasses, two very reasonable fac- similies of the Blues Brothers, Jake and Elwood, stepped from the car. Alias Kenny Brown and Greg The bands Why On Earth, Nigel Graham, manager and assistant and Late Show jammed in concert at the University Stadium that evening, replacing the scent of watermelon in the late summer air with energetic rock and roll. At ap- manager of King’s Corner, the Brothers cast a “blue” light on the day. But the day was anything but blue. Inspite of the overcast skies. 0 One of the messiest and hardest events in the annual Watermelon Bust was the watermelon toss. Whether using the overhead or underhand throw, the size and shape of the watermelons make it difficult to get any distance at all. --photo by William E. Vance Watermelon Bust i) MaGgauine