Colonnade

Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: Lissa Speer Sophomore special education major Taylor Howard celebrates with her friends after winning this past Wednesday's rock-paper-scissors tournament, an attempt at a world record.

Media Credit: Lissa Speer Senior mass communication major Lyric Burnett, right, gives instructions and announces rounds of the game to the crowd.

Media Credit: Lissa Speer The group of 751 total participants gathers on Front Campus to await the tournament. Before the event started, the rules of the game were reviewed and many attendees practiced their strategy at the famous hand game.

At approximately 12:30 p.m. this past Wednesday afternoon, tension awaited as hundreds of people flocked toward Front Campus. Groups of anxious people registered their names, received raffle tickets and cheered within the yellow caution tape boundaries ready for competition.

Students, professors, locals and children were attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records mark for the largest rock-paper-scissors tournament. Although just 751 people showed up - 42 shy of the 793-person record - it was still a good turn out.

Senior public relations major Lyric Burnett worked tirelessly to organize the event for her practicum. She knew she wanted to try to break some sort of record, so she decided to have a rock-paper-scissors tournament.

"My roommate and I were trying to think of an event I could do to promote The Colonnade," Burnett said. "We thought a rock-paper-scissors tournament would be perfect."

The organized chaos and cheering fans filled Front Campus once the tournament began. Each player was given a raffle ticket. Players who won two out of three collected the loser's ticket. Then, players would move on to find another partner. The last man standing, who had the most raffle ticket, was declared the winner.

Burnett was heard on the microphone over the crowd as the last few rounds became exciting. Crowds of people watched from outside the tape as the last eight teams dwindled down to just two people. People were screaming for Tim and Taylor as the last round was played.

Sophomore Taylor Howard won the exciting competition. Her practice at camp tournaments and waiting in line paid off. She said her strategy was throwing "rock" first because most people throw "scissors."

"I was shocked," Howard said. "Everyone just kept screaming every time I won, I just kept laughing. I didn't want to lose and I knew I would be so disappointed if I lost."

As the champion, Howard received a $100 gift card to the PawPrints Bookstore, a T-shirt for attempting to break the world record and a "Campus Life is Good" T-shirt.

Junior and runner-up Tim Bosch said the tournament was really exciting and nerve wrecking at the same time. After hearing about the tournament, Bosch decided he wanted to be involved.

"I was expecting to get out the first or second round," Bosch said. "When it was down to the final two, I was so nervous. I had no strategy really, it was just pure adrenaline."

Local newspapers, radio stations and television stations were all in attendance to document the tournament. Although the record was not beaten, the event was deemed a success because more than 700 people show up on an otherwise gloomy, cold November afternoon.



Burnett has thought about creating another tournament during Homecoming week. However, it is tentative for now because another application process to Guinness might mean a waiting period.

"I was happy to see how excited so many people were," Burnett said. "Seeing how long the line was gave me chills. I will definitely sleep well tonight."

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