Tournament kicks off week

The Great Hall was a full house Friday night as more than 175 students gathered for UNC's first Texas Hold'em poker tournament.

The tournament, sponsored by the Carolina Athletic Association, kicked off a week of Homecoming festivities that also included the sixth annual Michael Hooker 5K on Saturday.

The 175 allotted spots for the poker tournament filled up, and many students wishing to participating were stuck on the waiting list.

Hank Hale, a senior biology major, heard about the tournament just 20 minutes before its start and was the last student added to the list. He, along with all other waitlisted students present, was able to play in the tournament, which lasted almost four hours. Many of the eliminated participants stayed for the duration.

The top 10 finalists, as well as one player from each of the original 17 tables, won prizes such as a free pizza from Domino's.

James Riley, a junior philosophy major, placed second, and Jason Coggins, a junior political science major, won the tournament.

Coggins chose a set of poker chips from Littleblind.com as his prize, and Riley won a poker table top.

Jack Dunlap, a junior business and psychology major who placed third, expressed interest in tournament becoming a regular event.

"I'd say we should have it as frequently as possible," he said. "It was put together very well, and everybody really enjoyed it."

Hale said that he had played in poker tournaments at Spanky's and Goldie's Grille and that he was excited about the opportunity to play in one on campus. "I'd like for there to be more (on-campus tournaments)," he said. "I'd like for it to be a monthly thing at least."

CAA President Lindsay Strunk said she was pleased with the tournament. "It was such a great success that I hope it will continue in years to come," she said.

More than 300 people participated in CAA's Hooker 5K, with awards going to the top male and female runners in two different age categories: 18 to 24 and 25 and older.

The race is a memorial to Michael Hooker, former chancellor of UNC who died from cancer at age 53. All proceeds from the race went to the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Both of the events drew a large number of students who said they greatly enjoyed participating.

"The turnout has been incredible, and I am very pleased with the hard work that everybody is doing to make sure that events run smoothly," Strunk said.

The CAA will sponsor several other activities this week, including an event to meet Homecoming Court candidates at 6 p.m. at the Top of Lenoir tonight and "An Evening with Roy" on Tuesday.

Strunk said she is looking forward to a dinner and pep rally event with the football team Wednesday.

"I'm really excited about the 'Feast Before the Fight' because it really pulls the football team into Homecoming."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.