 "Photo: James Durbin ~ Daily Egyptian")
White and green shoes, lime green pants, a green polo shirt with the collar popped over a lime green undershirt, a green hat and a gold grill.
Josh Houston’s outfit was comparable to many who attended the 2009 Player's Ball to dance, socialize and have a good night.
“I’m just here having a good time,” said Houston, a freshman from Decatur studying computer engineering. “I’m hoping everyone else is having a good time too.”
Saturday marked the 34th annual Kappa Alpha Psi Player's Ball and was headlined by performing artist Drake.
Player's Ball is an annual event held by a Kappa Alpha Psi that brings thousands of people from across the country.
Edward Obidi, president of Kappa Alpha Psi, said he wanted to give students an experience they would never forget.
“We’re trying to make sure everyone has a good time and a good experience for the rest of their lives,” Obidi said.
Prior to the ball, Kappa Alpha Psi hosted the “Kappa Karnival.” The event included a car show, free food, a basketball shoot, dunk tanks and more.
But the big event happened when Drake hit the stage at Players Ball. Drake, who has released three mixed tapes and an album including “Ransom” featuring Lil Wayne, was the name many students were saying before the ball.
Diamond Sutton, a freshman from Hoffman Estates studying finance, said she was excited to see Drake.
“I think it’s really cool how they got Drake here because he’s new, fresh and everybody loves him right now, “ she said. “It’s just so crazy how they were able to get him here.”
Nikenya Rodgers, a freshman from Hanover Park studying criminal justice, added the only thing she wanted to get out of the night was Drake’s phone number.
Houston said Drake is the next big name in the rap industry and was excited to watch him perform live.
“He’s the hottest young producer, writer out there,” he said. “Everyone wants him and he works with the best like Lil' Wayne and Young Money.”
Obidi said it was huge to be able to get an artist like Drake on SIUC’s campus.
“Back in the day we had groups like 'The Temptations' before they even got big,” Obidi said. “He’s one of those lifetime artists that we’re getting right before he peaks at the plateau of his career.”
Obidi said Drake was helping them out by performing for them, but they were also helping Drake by getting his name out to the Midwest.
Obidi said, overall, Player's Ball was a big success.
“We had a good turnout and it was peaceful,” Obidi said. “Everyone had a good time.”
Stile Smith can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 268
To answer your question about Micheal Phelps. The answer would be YES. In fact, there would be an article in the DE by the "Our Word" column most likely that would chastise us for worshiping people just because they are successful athletes. yada yada yada...
In fact, Micheal Phelps would get MORE bad press.
As for the race issue, sorry but it's a black event, put on by a black frat. I am sure everyone is welcome, and that's great, but it doesn't change the fact that it caters to black students, and that's fine. But calling someone racist because they point out it's primarily a black event makes no more sense than saying black people are racists because they voted for Obama because he's black. Neither is true.
I think DP is referencing when the Players Ball coincided with spring fest. Things were not always "civil" at times. But that happens with any large gather of people over the years.
I can remember a few fights from my undergrad days. Nothing more or less than you would here about at a local club from time to time.
Halloween was cancelled not because it was dangerous, it was cancelled because the administration wanted to change the party school image. They did... now nobody wants to come here anymore.
People get scared when black people does thing but all anyone wants to do is make money and have all the fun they can have in the process. And it wasn't even about making money because most of the events were free. So next year when player's ball comes back just come out and really see what it is about so you don't have to do anymore he say she say you can just know what it was and who was there and what type of people come down because you were they to experience it yourself.EVERYONE PLEASE IT IS 2009 CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!!!!!
Sorry I couldn't respond earlier, I have a job. Anyway, I should be busy doing community service, since I said I've done some. How dare I question an event! Oh, before I forget, DP=Dawg Pound, being so moved by SIU one would think you would catch that.
I guess the white people you mentioned really showed me that it's an event for EVERYONE. You really told me on that one, but do you happen to know a percentage? Why would I care you might be asking? I really don't. It didn't change my life what-so-ever, but when an event historically causes problems in an area (halloween) it is usually addressed, but not this one. Do you ever wonder why? The word racist has been thrown around on here for awhile now and it seems to be overused. Just because people talk about race doesn't mean their racist. Can people of different colors talk about such subjects without the race card being pulled? By the way, I along with others am guilty of this.
Now on to your talk about stuggles. You have no idea what I, or anyone else has been through, so aren't you doing the same thing you are lecturing me about? This isn't a competition on who had/has it harder. There are people in the world who would put all of us to shame. Shouldn't we instead be focused on understanding/learning from the past in order to make sure it doesn't happen again? Many black people made assumptions about my "forefathers" before this board discussion, and yes some of them are true, but aren't some white student stereotypes of black students correct as well? Using your logic and all. Oddly enough, I agree with Ken that fun has been sucked out of the University experience. More events should be held, and attended by all. All being the key word. Tyrone, you seem to not believe that flyers are handed out to only black students by other black students. Perhaps because you participated in this in the past? If I was handing out flyers, to anything, and skipped black students I am guessing you wouldn't like that too much.
I didn't attend the event, and wouldn't attend that event. I am more of a metal guy, and I like fast cars...American Muscle. So, not really my event. I think it's excellent that you are doing so well, especially because you are and SIU Alum, it gives me hope. I do have a problem with "I don't punch a clock." Those people who do punch a clock keep America running and I have more respect for Blue Collar workers than any white collar worker, and I'm white collar. Hard work should be rewarded, and it looks as if it has for you, but do you really think there shouldn't be questions raised when Player's Ball comes around, given its history? Halloween is questioned every year, and still hasn't been reinstated. In closing, I am happy your brother pulled off the event, it helps Carbondale, but expect people to question things, this is America, it's what we do best. Yes, it was a black event and it was questioned, lets leave the racism out of it. By the way, I am not arguing the fact that racist comments were made by ignorant people, white and black.
I don't understand all the critism that is taking place. If you people (and here "you people" means white people complaining about it being a black event) Don't realize there are all kinds of social groups, that attract different races, ethnic backgrounds, etc. and that we segregate ourselves based on where we grew up, what music we listen to, etc. etc. then you are painfully naive. You are painfully naive if you think this equates to racism. There were no attempts to bar white people from the event. It is just an event to cater to a group of people with certain taste.
If you go to a Star Trek convention, you will get a certain demographic. If you go to a country western concert you will get a certain demographic. If you go to a Katt Williams comedy concert, you will get a certain demographic. Some of these demographic breakdowns will be balanced along racial lines... some will not. It just "is what it is." that doesn't mean the farmer from Kansas that attends a country western concert with mostly white people is a racist anymore than the black person from Chicago who attends a hip-hop concert with mostly black people is racist either. If you can't see that, and just ...let it be... then you're just kind of stupid.
This faternity should be applauded for providing something FUN to do for a large segment our our student body. There has been an attack on "FUN" here at SIU for the last 10-20 years and this faternity has found a way to keep alive one of the last outlets of FUN we have. Maybe they can even help to bring spring fest, organize more various bands, because they have proven themselves successful and capable at pulling off an event of this nature.
Log in Log in to be able to post comments.