Colorado University Athletics
Can Challenge Good For Buffs, Community
April 21, 2009 | General
BOULDER - As part of the Spring Fest this Saturday that culminates with the Spring Game at 1 p.m. at the University of Colorado, the Institute for Ethical and Civil Engineering will host the Can Challenge for the second straight year.
Returning to the Balch Fieldhouse again this year, 17 teams will build structures using cans that they have collected in the weeks preceding the event. The teams will be competing for a variety of awards, including imaginative accolades like "most creative" and "most likely to withstand an earthquake."
The winners will be announced at half-time during the Spring Game, which kicks off at 1 p.m. All of the cans used in the construction will be donated to Boulder Community Food Share, who will distribute the cans to underprivileged families in the Boulder area.
The Colorado Can Challenge's purpose is simple and well-intentioned: to raise awareness and decrease the prevalence of hunger in Boulder and surrounding areas. Organized by IECE, they solicit help from other campus organizations, as well.
Collaboration between the different groups and the gracious dedication of volunteers are essential to the success of the Colorado Can Challenge. The all-campus food drive works in conjunction with the CU Athletic Department.
Official judging is conducted by a five person committee, the members of which are selected by the IECE. The committee will observe the sculptures and reach a consensus, deciding upon the winners of individual awards.
Prior to kick off of the Spring Game on Saturday, fans are invited to view the sculptures and vote for their favorites. The sculpture that receives the most fan votes will win the award for "fan favorite."
In its inaugural year, the Colorado Can Challenge collected 9,201 pounds of food, gathering nearly 10,000 non-perishable items. A total of 176 CU students and staff members registered to compete in the inaugural event, and approximately 1,400 members of the CU Community participated in another capacity.
The IECE and all of those involved in overseeing the Colorado Can Challenge hope to improve on last year's numbers during this years event and encourage involvement from fans and students during the weekend of the Spring Game.
