Fifth annual event raises money for Cancer Society

The Kent State field hockey team performs “It’s a hard knock life” from Annie at the 5th annual Jock Jams last night. The event consisted of Kent state athletics competing by performing songs, in an effort to raise money for the American Cancer Society. H

Credit: John Proppe

Weird Al, Hanson, Shakira and Michael Jackson were all present at last night’s 5th annual Jock Jams. At least, Kent State students pretending to be them were.

The program, which raised money for the Akron Chapter of the American Cancer Society, featured performances from 13 of Kent State’s athletic teams .

The performances, judged on creativity and originality, displayed teams’ ability to lip-sync and perform choreographed routines to popular songs to a full house at the Cartwright Auditorium.

The 2006 Jock Jams champions proved their might once again, as the football team took the top honors again this year, with a routine that included a dance-off and songs by Michael Jackson and Hanson.

Many teams poked fun at other teams in their performances, including the men’s basketball and football teams mocking each other.

Other teams chose a theme for their routines. Soccer players danced to Shakira, volleyball players featured Weird Al and baseball players sang a live version of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine.”

Freshman Brittany Reagle-Emrick, a member of the soccer team, said she enjoyed the night.

“Not so much us performing, but watching all of the other athletes perform was the most fun,” she said.

Last year the event raised nearly $4,000, and this year, the program hoped to meet that number again.

Jennifer Kulics, assistant athletic director and organizer of the event, said the Jock Jams program made the Cancer Society its permanent charity after two athletic staff members died in 2005 from the disease.

“So many people are impacted by cancer,” Kulics said. “It’s nice to raise money for a charitable cause.”

Contact news correspondent Kelly Pickerel at [email protected].