Wheaton Athletic Mentors to host second annual Big Event

&&Proceeds to benefit Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD)&&

NORTON, MA--The Wheaton Athletic Mentors (WAMs), a leadership group of student-athletes from each of the college's 21 varsity sports programs, will host the second annual Big Event to promote sobriety among college students and to contribute to the local community. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), formerly known as Students Against Driving Drunk.

The two-day program, which begins on Friday, February 17, 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 discouraged to issue approval for any events that include alcohol service during the weekend. The campus pub, The Loft, has also agreed to not serve alcohol.

A full schedule of events is planned for both days, starting with a trio of featured films on Friday at 2 p.m. Hypnotist Jim Spinnado in the Balfour-Hood Atrium at 8 p.m., a pie eating contest immediately following the hypnotist, and midnight breakfast and open microphone night in Chase Round at 10 p.m. will conclude the evening's festivities. On Saturday, a six-hour movie marathon in Hindle Auditorium begins at 2 p.m. followed by dodge ball in Emerson Gymnasium and fun, food, games and music in Beard Field House. Games include a mechanical bull, air volleyball, bungee run, toilet-bowl racing and a giant slide.

The WAMs are selling blue Wheaton bracelets for $1 each as a way for people to publicly show their support for the event. Donations are also being accepted campus wide.

The purpose of the WAMs is to provide a forum for the student-athletes and to serve as a liaison between the student-athletes and the Wheaton administration at both 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.

For more than 23 years, SADD has been committed to empowering young people to lead education and prevention initiatives in their schools and communities. Founded as Students Against Driving Drunk in 1981 in Wayland, SADD has grown to become the nation's dominant peer-to-peer youth education and prevention organization with thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools and colleges.

In 1997, in response to requests from SADD students themselves, SADD expanded its mission and name and now sponsors chapters called Students Against Destructive Decisions. SADD continues to endorse a firm ''No Use'' message related to use of alcohol and other drugs. With its expanded focus, SADD now highlights prevention of all destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse, impaired driving, violence, and suicide.

Sponsors of the event include Academic Risk Resources & Insurance, LLC; Bacchus; Koster Insurance; Office of Student Life; Programming Council; Senate Fund; Venture Fund; and the Wheaton College Dining Services.

For more information or to make a donation to The Big Event, contact Pam Wojnar at 508-286-5699 or by e-mail at pwojnar@wheatonma.edu or Adam Eastwood at 508-286-3985 or aeastwoo@wheatonma.edu.