WAMs to Host eighth annual Big Event February 3-4

NORTON, Mass. – The Wheaton Athletic Mentors (WAMs), a leadership group of student-athletes from each of the college's 21 varsity sports programs, will host the eighth annual Big Event on Friday, February 3 and Saturday, February 4, 2012 to promote sobriety among college students and to contribute to the local community. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Christina Clarke Genco Foundation.

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 $8 (two for $14) and bracelets for $2 with all proceeds going towards the Christina Clarke Genco Foundation.

A full schedule of events is planned for both days, beginning with Friday's dodgeball tournament from 8-10 p.m. in Beard Field House. A comedian will perform in the Balfour-Hood Atrium at 10:30 p.m. to conclude the evening's festivities. On Saturday, the Big Event Carnival begins in Beard Field House. Fun, food and festivities are scheduled until midnight as a mechanical bull, inflatable air volleyball, sumo wrestling, bungee run and an inflatable obstacle course will be featured. Family hour begins at 7 p.m. with students permitted to enter one hour later at 8 p.m.

"The Big Event is one of the highlights of the winter season for the department of athletics, and I am proud that the Wheaton Athletic Mentors will continue this tradition for the eighth-consecutive winter,” said Interim Director of Athletics John Sutyak '00. “To see the WAMs take the lead and reach out and collaborate with other areas of campus to provide alcohol-free activities for the weekend is a tribute to the dedication they have as Wheaton student-athletes."

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 WAMs and coach Kiablick have worked extremely hard to put together this year's Big Event,” said WAM co-coordinator Craig Letourneau. “It should be a fun time for all. Personally, I am excited to experience it for the first time.”

The Christina Clarke Genco Foundation is dedicated to empowering young people to pursue their passions and engage in community service. The foundation was created in memory of Christina, who was tragically killed on June 6, 2011 while riding her bike through Alabama, leading a cross-country cycling trip with Bike & Build to benefit affordable housing groups like Habitat for Humanity.

Wheaton is a member of the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC), an association of 10 selective academic institutions that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III philosophy.

Sponsors of the Big Event include the Office of Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership (SAIL) and the Department of Athletics, Programming Council, Senate Fund, The Chateau, and WAMs.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Emily Kiablick at (508) 286-5804 or kiablick_emily@wheatoncollege.edu.