Ball State University - Orient Yearbook (Muncie, IN)

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1 4.Watermelon Bust eby Cheri Evanse Brightly colored balloons decorated every fence corner, tent top and sign post in LaFollette field. Each balloon, intoxicated with helium, tugged at the thin, white thread which held it cap- tive, bumping and bouncing wildly in an odd freedom dance. Below, bright- ly outfitted students gathered over the field in excited clusters, alternately huddling and breaking apart to leap and cheer in their own strange rituals. The noise from the ground rose toward the clear blue sky, ac- companied by a few stray balloons which had escaped with the wind. The balloons were stamped “Watermelon Bust ’85,” but no one had to read them to know; “Bust,” as finalists, Queen Kim oversees the campus. Selected from a panel of five Buckman festivities at Watermelon Bust. The queen was selected by penny voting which took place at selected stations around elon bustin’ Frivolous food feasts are festival favorites it was called, was Ball State’s biggest student-sponsored event of the year. Everyone knew of the festival, which was backed by Delta Tau Delta frater- nity and Alpha Chi Omega sorority to raise money for the Isanogel Center and the Indiana Cystic Fibrosis Foun- dation. And, everyone anticipated the festival’s combination of food (watermelon), contests (watermelon games) and general frivolity (watermelon fights). Bust offered, as Angie George, Alpha Chi Omega publicity chairperson, put it, “a chance for EVERYONE to get involved--greeks, independents, (dor- mitory) halls, the community, facul- ty.” Once the teams of students--dressed in everything from green shorts and green-painted bodies, to football jerseys to surgical outfits and hard hats--gathered and “mentally prepared,” Bust organizers tried to call everyone into readiness. The microphone boomed into operation. “No drinking during the games,” said a female voice firmly. “And please, no animals on the center field,” she added, as a spectator and his dog drifted across the marked- off lanes. Bob and Tom, popular radio per- sonalities who had emceed Bust for the past several years with their color- ful commentary, then appeared. Jac- quie Momper, Alpha Chi Omega chairperson of Bust, said of the pair, “They cost more (to get) this year continued Mark R. Smith Watermelon Bust provides Greeks and independents alike the opppor- tunity to show their spirit and have fun in the sun. This participant was determined not to let opportunity, or the watermelon, slip through his fingers. f

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Rocky Rothrock TWO Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders perform one of the high-stepping numbers’ from their world-famous half-time act. All though Eastern Michigan defeated Ball State, the cheerleaders kept the crowd’s spirits high. Rocky Rothrock Breaks between routines give a TWO Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleader a perform their world-famous, high- chance to catch her breath. The stepping routine at the Parent’s Day women had little opportunity to rest game. The cheerleaders kept spirits during their weekend in Muncie. high despite Ball State’s loss. Rocky Rothrock | Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders® I 3

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Mark R. Smith | Triumphant team | members celebrate their finish in Watermelon Bust. Bust was the most attended student- sponsored event of the year. Ray Shepard Watermelon Buste | 5