Wrestlers invade campus

As part of Welcome Week, Eigenmann Hall hosted an event by Extreme Wrestling Federation (EWF) of Marion, Ind. \nAs well as having members of the EWF perform, there was a free barbeque with hamburgers, hot dogs and snow cones. \nAbdul Haleem Young, a senior and resident assistant at Eigenmann, said, "This is definitely, to the students, an opportunity to show students that there is more than academics at Eigenmann."\nThe program took place on the tennis courts behind Eigenmann and started at about 8:30 p.m. It drew a crowd of about 200 Eigenmann residents. \n"Part of the reason we are doing this is to let the students know how exciting it is," said Dietrich Willke, president of Eigenmann and a senior. "Eigenmann is portrayed as grad students. We are trying to show that we are fun and we have a lot of programs, like this large one." \nWhile the event was a change of pace for Eigenmann, it was the first time that they had performed at IU, and they rarely perform in front of a college crowd. \n"We travel all over the states; this was a good opportunity to come to Bloomington and showcase what we got to the students at the University in hopes that we can come back and do this on a regular basis," said promoter Jason Mapples.\nThe wrestlers said they were exited to have the opportunity to break their normal routine and showcase their talents in Bloomington in front of a different audience. \n"I am very exited to be here... . It's good to get into another town and show what we can do," said Robbie Drake of Clinton, Ill., who wrestles as "Jack Hammer."\n Joseph Thacker of Houston, also known as "Eden," said, "We usually have a lot of kids come and watch us. This is an older audience so we don't have to be PG-13." \n In total, five bouts were fought. The fighting was not just in the 16-foot-by-16-foot ring that ECW brought with it. The wrestlers used steel chairs, Target shopping carts and assortment of other weapons. \n One of the matches degenerated to such an extent that a wrester was thrown off the top of a staircase that provided access to the tennis courts from Eigenmann. It was about a 12-inch drop.\n IU Student Association Senator and Collins Center resident, junior Jeramy Foltz was the sole IU student that actually got in the ring and fought in the main event. His wrestling character is "Johnny Law" and he tours with ECW on a regular basis.