NORTON, MA- Plans are finalized for the Wheaton Athletic Mentors (WAMs), a leadership group of student-athletes from each of the college's 21 varsity sports programs, to host the fifth annual Big Event this weekend to promote sobriety among college students and to contribute to the local community. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the HEADstrong Foundation, an organization which assists in cancer awareness.

The two-day program is designed to raise awareness about alcohol misuse and abuse by establishing a dry weekend on campus and sponsoring numerous social events and activities for students. As part of the effort, the college is encouraged to not issue approval for any events that include alcohol service during the weekend. The WAMs are selling Big Event T-shirts for $5 each as a way for people to publicly show their support for the event.

A full schedule of events is planned for both days, beginning with barefoot wiffle ball on Friday in Emerson Gymnasium at 7:00 p.m. A comedian will perform in Cole Memorial Chapel at 9:00 p.m. before open microphone night, which will include a late-night brunch and a raffle, in Chase Round Dining Hall at 10:00 p.m. concludes the evening's festivities. On Saturday at 7:00 p.m., the Big Event Carnival begins in Beard Field House. Fun, food and festivities are scheduled until 11:00 p.m., as a mechanical bull, inflatable air volleyball, toilet-bowl racing, sumo wrestling, bungee run, dodgeball, a giant slide and an inflatable obstacle course will be featured.

The purpose of the WAMs, which is Wheaton's student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC), is to provide a forum for the student-athletes and to serve as a liaison between the student-athletes and administration at the academic and athletic levels. The WAMs design and implement programs to encourage academic achievement, health promotion and social responsibility to enhance the student-athlete experience.

The HEADstrong Foundation is dedicated to the life of Nicholas "Head" Colleluori, who created the foundation while fighting non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer that affects the lymphatic system. A men's lacrosse player at Hofstra University, Colleluori learned of the disease during his sophomore year. After battling the sickness for 14 months, which included undergoing intense chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and experimental treatments, Colleluori lost his battle on November 28, 2006, at the age of 21.

Located in Holmes, Pennsylvania, the HEADstrong Foundation generates funds for cancer research, distributes grants and assistance to survivors of blood cancer, provides financial assistance to families that are experiencing the hardships of having a sick family member, and offers scholarships and grants for students with ambitions of entering the medical field.

Sponsors of the Big Event include Koster Insurance and campus-based groups such as the Department of Athletics, Dining Services, Office of Alumnae/i Affairs, Programming Council, Senate Fund, Venture Fund and WAMs.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Dave Cox at (508) 286-3984 or cox_david@wheatonma.edu.