The Barometer Online

Issue date: 5/22/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Cory Reed

Media Credit: Jeff Wick The 2009 Snow in the Quad drew fifty-two snowboard and ski competitors to the Memorial Union Quad Thursday afternoon. The event, part of Cricket Wireless' Campus Rail Jam Tour, was first started in Corvallis in 2005.

Media Credit: Jeff Wick Snowboarder Randa Shahin rides during the fifth annual Snow in the Quad. Shahin won the women's snowboarding division and will continue to the finals in Portland on May 25. See inside for more photos.

By Theo Hendrickson

The Daily Barometer

Snowboarders and skiers performed multiple tricks Thursday afternoon for the group of students and spectators that attended the annual Snow in the Quad event.

The Cricket Wireless Campus Rail Jam Tour has become a West Coast competition promoting the amateur ski and snowboard scene. The participants call themselves the up-and-comers of the sport and athletes that are "about to blow up."

The competitors of both genders are allowed to come from anywhere in the U.S. to compete for a spot in the finals that will be held in Portland on May 25. Only five athletes will be selected for the finals. The first place winner will receive a cash prize and a trophy for his or her efforts.

"It gives the amateurs a chance to ride on the same type of setup as a pro, in front of their peers," said Ryan Murray, tour manager.

The event featured three different rails varying in difficulty, and the athletes used the equipment to perform their tricks and show off for the crowd.

OSU student Eric Wilcox learned about the event last year, and after seeing how much fun it looked, he decided to compete this year. He said he was happy he competed, and that he "just wanted to have fun."

Last year's winner, Dillon Alito, is now competitive in the snowboard scene. He is frequently invited to events and has major companies sponsoring him.

"We've got good weather and a lot of people coming together. It'll be a good event," said Eric Singer, member of the tour crew.

This 2009 tour began in January and has visited 11 different campuses, ranging from Colorado State to the University of Arizona, gathering competitors for its final stop of the tour.

Ryan Kirkpatrick and Dan Genco are the founders of the Snow in the Quad event that has taken place every year since 2005. Both are OSU alumni, and they started a company called Galvanic Design, which hosted the Campus Rail Jam Tour. Genco started the event to "bring a unique event to OSU" and to have something "new, fun and creative."

"It's more of a shock value, when kids can walk out of class and see a huge pile of snow," Murray said.

The snow came from the Timberline Ski Area on Mt. Hood, and dump trucks delivered the snow a few hours before the event started.

The sponsors for the event included Fuel TV, Skullcandy, Jacknut Apparel and Cricket Wireless. Each sponsor had a booth outside. Jamba Juice was also there, catering to the thirst needs of spectators.

The DJs gave away free ping pong balls, Frisbees, snowboard wax and T-shirts to the crowd. Skis and snowboards were also given away to those who texted a certain number and answered a special question that the DJs came up with.

Last year, 5,500 people came to the MU Quad for the event, and Genco hopes to beat last year's attendance.

"It's enjoyable to sit outside on a sunny day and kick back in the sun without having the snow on your head," Murray said.



Theo Hendrickson, staff writer

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231

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