Normally a walk through the mall area at midday will involve crowded walk ways packed with brightly colored tables and people trying to sell something or get people to attend their event. The Poker Walk, held on Wednesday in the mall area, offered a more interactive way to encourage fitness, awareness and fun.
The event was sponsored by Recreational Sports and cosponsored by several campus groups. Stacy Hazenberg, the graduate assistant for special events, marketing and promotions, coordinated the event.
“The purpose of the event is to provide the students and faculty/staff with a fun activity that is a quick way to get a brisk walk in and to win prizes,” Hazenberg said.
Approximately 300 people participated in the event and each received an envelope with one playing card in it from five “casinos” spread throughout the mall area, each sponsored by a different group. The tables visited each gave out different information and/or small prizes.
The groups that sponsored the event included Rec Sports, Alcohol Abuse Initiative, Counseling Center and Student Activities & Vice President for Student Services tables.
After gathering their five envelopes, participants would report back to the starting point to have their names entered in a raffle and their five cards revealed. At the end of the event, whoever had the best poker hand from their cards would win a new set of cards and poker chips as a prize.
“I think Poker Walk was a huge success this year. The turnout was
much higher than previous years,” Hazenberg said.