The Barometer Online

Issue date: 4/10/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Annie Miles Members of the Oregon State women's track team "Crank That" at The Other Side Talent Show. The show offers athletes a chance to show off other talents and raise money for local and national organizations.

Thursday night was a very special evening in the LaSells Stewart Center as athletes representing 16 different athletic programs were able to show off their "other sides" at the seventh annual Other Side Talent Show and Silent Auction.

Preceding the actual talent show was a silent auction in the lobby as well as autograph signings by various athletes. Those in attendance were able to bid on various pieces of memorabilia ranging from signed sports balls to team apparel and even individual golf lessons. All the proceeds from the night were given to the IMPACT program, a program for children with special needs held at Oregon State. The event was put together by Ashley Wood of the women's soccer team.

"We felt that giving back to a local community program was the best choice," Wood said. "We have done national programs in the past, but IMPACT gets a campus connection and it is a great cause."

With a nearly full auditorium, athletes from the various sports teams rose to the occasion, creating putting on a show that consisted of funny dance routines, inspiring poetry, dance and music. With Keith Pankey (football) and Sophie Clough (women's soccer) as emcees, there was never a dull moment on the stage. Joining them in commentary were coaches John Carney, Vita Scaglione and Marie Zidek. The coaches acted as guest judges, awarding each performance with scores from one to five.

Starting off the night was men's basketball, bringing the CBI championship banner along with them. The team gave an ad lib dance routine to re-enact its celebration of the victory. The judges were not very impressed, but it got the crowd going. Following this dance routine was another team dance by women's cross country. This proved to be more planned and more impressive to the judges.

Some of the other low scoring routines included the women's swim team's 60-second screeching Native American flute circle, the softball team's attempt at athletic fashion from the past few decades, and the women's soccer team's freshmen's attempt to rewrite "I love college" into a soccer-themed song. A notable talent that did not get great scores was that of the volleyball team's Betsy Devich, singing the National Anthem with her mouth closed.

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