By Rachel Smith | Reporter

Students will dodge balls but not the chance to help people in need during Beta Kappa Gamma’s Dodge for a Cause tonight from 6 to 10 p.m. in Russell Gym.

Beta Kappa Gamma will donate all funds raised through the event to the American Cancer Society during Relay for Life. Amman, Jordan, senior Abdullah Ghali said he expects about 20 teams to compete in the tournament.

“There’s not too much Baylor support for [Relay for Life], so it is a good way to make an impact,” Ghali said.

Tournament participants pay $10 to play and receive a T-shirt and food. They will compete in teams of six to win trophies, $200 in gift cards and $300 in cash prizes.

“It’s a pretty big impact for a lot of our brothers,” said Irving senior Sherwin Thomas. “[American Cancer Society] is definitely something that we want to support.”

Thomas also serves on Baylor’s committee for Relay for Life, which will take place from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on March 31 at Fountain Mall. Relay for Life, American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser, takes place at locations across the nation where team members take turns walking around a track for six to 24 hours to fundraise for the organization.

“You can also fundraise for that, and you can also make a team with your friends for that as well,” Thomas said.

Another member, Los Angeles senior Jon Alexander, said a Beta Kappa Gamma alumnus started Dodge for a Cause five years ago because he felt a strong urge to assist in cancer research.

“Everybody likes to play dodgeball,” Alexander said. “You don’t have to be athletic to play it. It’s a perfect opportunity to have fun and help the community.”

The tournament is open to Baylor students as well as people from Texas State Technical College, McLennan Community College and the city of Waco.

“I’ve actually made a lot of friends through Dodge for a Cause,” Alexander said. “It’s a great way to meet new people. I really enjoy that aspect.”

Ghali said planning for the event starts in December and includes finding sponsors, assigning roles such as referees and purchasing merchandise. Sponsors donate gift cards for winners, and the fraternity advertises the event with banners around campus.

“My favorite thing is when every single thing we’ve been planning falls together,” Ghali said. “That’s the most satisfactory thing for me.”

Beta Kappa Gamma is a small multicultural service fraternity that was founded in 1999 at the University of Texas in Austin. Baylor’s chapter began in 2010.

“Because we’re so small, we have more opportunities to grow together as actual brothers,” Alexander said.

Thomas said he was not interested in Greek life when he first came to Baylor, but then he saw the connections among the brothers in Beta Kappa Gamma.

“Doing both service and having fun as well really appealed to me,” Thomas said. “My favorite part is definitely the brotherhood-just being able to know that anyone will come to help you at any time. Both good times and bad times, everyone is there for you.”

All members of Beta Kappa Gamma worked together to make Dodge for a Cause happen.

“It’s a great way to have fun while still supporting a great cause,” Thomas said.