By Blake Schmidt
Special for The State News
It was John Krcatovich's first time gambling. He lost his ten chips within 20 minutes, but he found consolation in his loss.
"It was a rough start, but when I found out some of this goes to a good cause, it changed my whole outlook on losing," said Krcatovich, a communication freshman.
Throughout the Union Ballroom, the clink-clink-clink of the money wheel harmonized with jingling chips Saturday night as students competed in the Hospitality Association's Vegas Night.
Many of the players, such as Kevin Murphy, did not know that a portion of the proceeds would go to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
"I'm just here for the money," said Murphy.
The hospitality business senior was hoping to take home the $400 cash prize for the winner of the Texas Hold 'em tournament.
Players participated in various games including black jack, craps and roulette.
Hospitality business professor John Tarras estimated about 150 participants came throughout the night, each buying in at a $5 minimum.
Vegas Night was originally Tarras' idea 13 years ago - he said it is a way to support education in gaming while raising some money for the hospitality business program.
In past years, most of the proceeds are used to sponsor students on educational trips to Las Vegas.
This year, 30 percent of the profits from the event were donated to the cancer foundation, where the donations will be primarily used for research and education in the greater Lansing area.
The idea to donate a portion to the foundation came from Vegas Night Executive Director and supply chain management junior Cory Rose.
Rose had previously done charitable work with the foundation.
Rose and the Hospitality Association spent four months planning and coordinating the event, he said.
Rose was one of about 50 volunteers who went through two required training sessions, said Chris Cipko, a hospitality business senior and Vegas Night human resources manager.
Hospitality business freshman Kevin King volunteered as a dealer to get extra credit for his casino management class, although he says he would have volunteered anyway because he likes dealing.
"Everything is going real smoothly tonight; we've had few problems," said King. "It's just a lot of fun."
