THE
Blind, sighted
benefit from
ski program
By Adamay McAdow
■ The California Aggie
U of California, Davis
“I was kind of scared — my major
fear was that 1 might break my leg
or arm. I already have one handicap
— I don't want one more.
"But the night before we went, my
friends told me you have to be an
expert to break something," the U.
of California, Davis student said.
The trip was successful, and an
enthusiastic Ramana Polavarapu
was able to ski six more times,
attaining intermediate-level status
Polavarapu’s handicap is blind
ness, and he skied liecause of a few
UCD students who've linked up
with Discovery Blind Sports
International as guides and instruc
tors for potential blind skiers
“The benefits are tremendous for
lx>th blind and sighted skiers," said
Program Coordinator Doug
Huberman. “It's not just a blind
person doing something he's never
done before but a blind and a sighted 1
person doing something together"
This is the first year for the pro
gram at Davis, Huberman said. A
graduate student at UCD, he had
already introduced Polavarapu to
weight training, ice skating, fishing
and tandem biking.
“It basically started out as me
finding a way for Ramana to ski He
found out that DBS! out of
Kirk wood (Ski Resort) certified indi
viduals as instructors for the blind "
“It’s strengthened me by seeing
the bravery of someone like
Ramana It’s easy to view the blind
as incapable of things like skiing,
and many people are shocked to see
them out there,” he said.
“But ifyou’reguiding, you see that 1
this is not a blind person learning to
ski, but a buddy, a fellow skier, who
just happens to be blind."
The teaching program at
Kirkwood is co-directed by blind
UCD alumnus Mike May and his
guide, Ron Salviolo.
Polavarapu has agreed to take
over as program coordinator in
Davis after Huberman graduates
this year
The benefits for blind persons who
learn to ski are tremendous,
Polavarapu said, noting that there
an' no age restrictions for skiers eli
gible for the program.
CHRISTOPHER T ASSAE KANSAS STATS COLLEGIAN KANSAS STATE II
Marc Bamman. senior in exercise science, planned organized and pro
moted the lirst college conterence bodybuilding competition
Student bodybuilder
organizes competition
By Craig Hamric
■ Kansas State Collegian
Kansas State U
“You see a lot of guy's who really get into the numbers. They
worn about what the tajx' measure says, and how much weight
they lift
“1 just go by the mirror lfl see that 1 need to build up a certain
area, 1 go into the gym and try to sculpt it," said Marc Bamman,
a senior in exercise science at Kansas State U
For the past year, Bamman has organized and promoted the
first college conference body building competition. He originally
planned a “Mr and Ms. K-State" competition, but when not
enough body builders showed an interest, he expanded the scope
to include the entire Big Eight Conference Forty competitors
entered the competition, which is not limited to college students,
hut targets that age group
Bamman intends to continue a career in bodybuilding
“Bodybuilding is what 1 love Bamman said. “1 m sure I'll
continue to promote and judge beyond my competitive days.’
Muscle, dry ice, music
draw 2,800 spectators
By William Fitzsimmons
■ The Daily Targum
Rutgers U.
It claims to Ik? the biggest event of its kind on the collegiate
level. Last winter 2,800 attended the bodybuilding competition
at Rutgers l The amount of preparation for the show was
almost as intense as the bodybuilder’s training, say the athletes.
Dry-ice. clouds and state-of-the-art lights and music systems
have helped the contest turn a profit Gail DeResi, who has
watched or participated the last three years noted the improve
ment
‘When the people running it took it more seriously it caught
on like bodybuilding in general has caught on." she said
BODIES
Student event goes
big time at SUNY
By Brenda Kube
■ Albany Student Press
State U. ot New York, Albany
Thirty-five students competed in the first student-run
National Physique Committee-sanctioned bodybuilding event
in the country last spring
The proceeds from the Mr. and Ms State U. of New York at
Albany Body Building and Physique Competition were donat
ed to the Ronald McDonald House
Nine professional NPC judges evaluated competitors and
there were special guest appearances by professional body
builder Tom Terwilliger and an amateur local bodybuilding
favorite. “Ms. Capital District" Debbie Davis.
To prepare for the event, each competitor had to Ire dedicated
to a special diet and strenuous, steady workout program.
Bob Schv, art/, who placed second in the men’s middleweight
division, said the sacrifice can bo difficult. “Everyone around
you is eating pizza and chicken wings while you’re eating egg
whites and plain rice. You also forget what beer tastes like for
a while, hut you have to watch your calories and body fat"
Jon Friedman, a men’s lightweight competitor, said the
preparation is also psychological.
“It’s not just taking your body to the extreme, but also your
mind," he said Friedman said he learned “to train smarter,
not harder" by reading fitness magazines and talking to other
bodybuilders
The winner of the “Mr SUNY” title was second-year com
petitor William Gibbs, a sophomore. The “Ms. SUNY" title went
to Alisa Parrish, a senior competing for the first time.
Although there was some dispute about the number of spec
tators. about 1,000 attended according to SUNY Student
Association officials
JOHN REILLY. DAILY TARG'JU RUTGERS U
Rutgers U. accounting major Mary Fellner participated in the Mr. Ms
Rutgers bodybuilding show Participants say that the show was taken
as a |oke the first two years, but has since gained popularity and respect