It was a great day for football as muddy fields and a light breeze accompanied play during the MSU Senior Class Council’s fifth annual Green and White Charity Bowl.
Coed teams could sign up for the event by donating $40, which went to the charity of the winning team’s choice.
“We raised about $1,400 today,” Senior Class Council President Bill Novotny said. “The winning team will pick a Lansing area charity to donate that $1,400 to.”
The international relations senior said 10 teams signed up for the Sunday tournament. Eight teams participated.
“There’s a lot of intensity going on out there right now,” said Christina Planisek, Senior Class Council philanthropy co-chairperson. “We have some of the teams that played in IM playing, so they’re pretty into it.”
The history senior said the games were played under the same Air Force rules as IM football, where a team can pass as many times as wanted on one play. IM referees contributed their services, and Planisek said she was thankful for that.
“They’re doing a wonderful job,” she said. “They’re pretty much helping us run the whole thing.”
Games were played at Munn field with the championship game at the new MSU Field Hockey Complex.
“We were actually going to have all the games played at Munn,” Planisek said. “But (Assistant Director of IM Sports) Johnny Allen suggested we try to get the new field.”
About 20 pizzas were donated from area pizzerias. Meijer donated a gift card and members of the council purchased snacks for the players, referees and themselves.
“We’re very appreciative of all of the local support we’ve received,” Novotny said.
When rain began, members of the council decided it would be safest to cancel the championship game at halftime.
“The teams were a little upset we canceled it,” Planisek said. “They were angry because they wanted to play for their charities.”
The Bulldogs defeated the Tikes with a 2-0 halftime score. The Bulldogs, who also came in second place in the IM independent men’s league, donated the money to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing.
“It’s all about the kids,” said Erik Timko, Bulldogs team captain and lifelong education student. “We all came out for a good cause. Why not help people out. It’s a lot better than staying at home.”
