As communication sophomore Shaleta Havard slid on her back at Munn Ice Arena, she saw other skaters cringing their faces and taking pictures of her mishap.
"I heard a lot of oohs and ahhs," she said. "I wasn't embarrassed, but it did hurt a little."
Havard, and about 500 students, skated for free Saturday during "A Night on the Ice," courtesy of the Residence Halls Association and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
The event contributed to a food drive coordinated by the Michigan State Police and the MSU Police Department West Side Community Team Policing. The drive, which ended Friday, helped families living in university-owned housing and other local charities.
Keith Jones, RHA's events board director, said this is the first of two events that has RHA collaborate with campus police to help benefit the community. The event gathered about 100 canned goods for the food drive.
Jones also said the event cost RHA about $1,200 and was paid for by RHA's special events budget.
"This is a good opportunity for students to give back to the community," Jones said. "At the same time they have an opportunity to relax before finals."
Jones said everyone in attendance received at least one raffle ticket. People who contributed to the food drive got two raffle tickets per canned food item.
Raffle prizes included three 20-inch television sets, two DVD players, a surround-sound system and five $20 Best Buy gift certificates.
The ice skaters listened to music provided by computer science junior Shunte McMillian, who goes by the name DJ Reality. Some students didn't make it out to the ice, instead they danced to the music in the stands of the arena.
McMillian, who has played music at previous ice skating events, said the crowd seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"I tried to play a real diverse set of music," he said. "There seemed to be more people than last year, so it was even more fun."
Although some students found themselves planted on the ice, the event brought more smiles than bruises.
"Once you get over the fear, you know you will be all right," Havard said. "It's not your average party or movie. It's a place for everyone to get together and just have fun."
