The main event of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s annual Player’s Ball event — a dance and concert attracting thousands of people from the Midwest — will be held in the Recreation Center Saturday, as opposed to their traditional party destination in the SIU Arena.
The event had to be moved because of renovations underway at the SIU Arena as part of the Saluki Way project, said Todd Sigler, director of Public Safety.
Khali Smith, a member of the national board for Kappa Alpha Psi, said while the location will be different, the event will deliver the same entertainment that has made it a staple at SIUC.
“Let’s just say we are crossing our fingers for a big surprise,” Smith said. “We were sort of in the same situation last year and we got Drake, so it’s going to be big.”
Drake has gone on to be nominated for two Grammy Awards this year.
The change in venue does not come without a set of challenges, Sigler said.
With thousands of people expected to attend the event, Sigler said his department has to make sure there is a safe and controlled method of entry into the building.
The lack of ticket booths and multiple entrance points could make crowd control more challenging compared to the arena, Sigler said. He said he does not foresee any major problems, as the department has not had significant trouble in controlling the event since 2002, when an empty car was lit on fire.
“By and large it’s been good. The main issues we run into is traffic and everyone trying to get into the dance at the same time,” Sigler said. “There’s been nothing problematic toward police though, it’s always been a cooperative relationship with the fraternity.”
Smith said the fraternity could not control everyone that comes into town, but hopes everyone remembers the event is there for people to have a good time with one another.
“We talk to the police months in advance and let them know how many people we’re expecting and things like that,” Smith said. “We do our best to basically show SIU a good time and party in peace.”
For those who cannot attend the dance — the event sold out Wednesday morning — there are plenty of other events to attend, Smith said.
The Rated L Komedy Show will take place at 6 p.m. today in Shryock Auditorium. The event features Damon Williams, Lil DuVal and Melyssa Ford.
Marcus King, executive director for Student Programming Council, said his organization was glad to co-sponsor the comedy show. The numerous events of Player’s Ball week give student organizations an opportunity to work and build relationships with each other, King said.
“Most of the time when groups work together it’s a positive experience,” King said. “This way the responsibility to fund an event can be shared by multiple groups and it won’t have to strain anyone financially.”
The weekend will also include the annual Kappa Karnival at Sam Rinella Fields. The event features free food, music and games and a car show. It starts at noon and is free to the public.
Smith said if the weekend events are as successful as the events earlier in the week, the group would be happy. The fraternity hosted a forum on interracial dating, a seminar on how to manage finances and a session on AIDS awareness and safe sex, including free Kappa Kondoms, Smith said.
When all the festivities come to a close, Smith said the fraternity will take any money made and put it back into the community.
“We always look for ways to give back to the community, and these events give us an opportunity to do that,” he said. “We will probably use any money to fund scholarships and provide school supplies for high schools and grade schools in the area.”
Jeff Engelhardt can be reached at jengelhardt@dailyegyptian.com or 536-3311 ext. 254.
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