Rock for Life! rocks Rose

This past Friday, Rock for Life! was held in the Kahn Room for a 24-hour marathon of “Guitar Hero,” starting at 5:00 p.m. Friday evening. The event was put on by BSB 1 as a fundraiser to support the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN). They raised money by selling raffle tickets and taking donations.

Bryan Ruiz, a sophomore advisor and civil engineer on BSB 1, and Thomas Kleeman, a freshman physics major, organized the event. Ruiz contacted PanCAN and proposed to Residence Hall Association to receive funding for prizes and a starting donation. “PanCAN provided brochures, fact sheets, ribbons, and wristbands to help raise awareness,” mentioned Ruiz. Ruiz also contacted David Stevenson to help set up the audio equipment.

Kleeman contacted Red Octane, the makers of Guitar Hero, and was able to have them sponsor the event. “Red Octane provided us with free T-shirts, pins, posters, and a 10% discount coupon on all of our purchases,” said Ruiz.

According to Ruiz, Guitar Hero is a very popular game in his room. Joseph Ausserer, a BSB 1 resident, suggested, “We should play for 24 hours without stopping.”

“It was from there we took the idea and decided we were going to play for 24 hours. Then we decided to make it a fundraiser and help some sort of organization just like those ‘Relay for Life’ fundraisers. From there the name: Rock for Life!” explained Ruiz.

WMHD provided the live music by two of their bands. The first band was Aütobähnd, who kicked off the event at 5:00 p.m. playing a Guitar Hero Medley. The other band that performed during the event was Team Lift. They performed at 6:00 p.m.

Matt Moseng, a sophomore computer engineer, enjoyed the event. “I went to Rock for Life! to support Aütobähnd and because Guitar Hero is a great game. Brian did a great job mixing charity and a rocking good time. Aütobähnd put on a great show. I enjoyed the live music, and it was nice seeing people having a good time playing.”

RHA provided a $100 starting donation, and overall, BSB raised $579.55 for PanCAN. Sebastian Mendes, a sophomore civil engineer, won the main raffle prize for the evening which was an electric guitar by Fender. Nobu Hiro, a freshman mechanical engineer and BSB 1 resident, won first prize for the highest Guitar Hero score, and Nathan Wendt, a freshman mechanical engineer, won second prize.