By: Olivia Adams

As the countdown from 10 finished, an avalanche of tennis balls came out of a truck and down the commons. The Great Commons Ball Roll had officially begun.

Students, faculty, staff and even a few puppies lined the barricades for the balls, cheering as rolled and bounced toward the finish line. Who knew watching tennis balls could draw such a crowd? Well, with sunshine, pizza, Italian ice, 130 different prizes and a good cause, the University’s International Service Programs (ISP) knew.

ISP hosted the event to raise money for their many service trips.

“We’re raising money for our club, and also the trips,” said junior ISP member, Emily Erickson. “Students have to pay a flat rate when we go on the trips, but all the fundraising we do, especially the ball roll, helps for our costs.” Erickson will be going to El Salvador this summer with CRISPAZ, a faith-based organization helping bring help to people in need in El Salvador.

The Great Commons Ball Roll was a huge success! ISP sold 4,084 balls, the most ever in club history. This generated an estimated almost $9,000. More than 400 students shuffled through the crowd to grab a slice and some Italian ice, on top of donating to a great cause! The event offered 120 boxes of pizza, 130 prizes for the winners of the ball roll — donated by ISP members — and Rita’s for everyone in attendance.

The winners of the ball roll are posted on second floor of The DeNaples Center and also can be seen in the Royal News, here.