Tournament gives students 1,000 reasons to drink

As if students need a reason to play a few rounds of beer pong, the Central New York Beer Pong League is now offering a $1,000 prize for the winner of a tournament tonight.

Open registration for anyone over 21 will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Clinton Street Pub. The tournament begins at 8:15 and will be televised by Beer Pong TV. Sixty-four teams will qualify to compete on a first-come, first-serve basis, so prospects must arrive early for a shot at beer pong glory.

"This beer pong tournament represents the culmination of every pong player in the Syracuse area," said senior anthropology major Gary Goldsmith, who plans to be in the front of the registration line. "I am excited to see the representation of players and skill levels and to see how my abilities compare to those of the other players. Between shot style, stance and the amount of people who lean (known as 'leaners'), it will be interesting to see how people hold up under real tournament circumstances and rules."

The $1,000 prize will go to the top three finishing teams and participants will even be able to walk straight on their way to the bank.

"The rounds are played with non-alcoholic beer to avoid liability," said Sarah Block, a bartender at the Clinton Street Pub. "This is our first event with the CNY Beer Pong League, but I've heard they always have a great turnout and get pretty crazy."

Not to worry, though: the bar will be fully stocked with alcohol for those whose game gets better with each beer.

Additional prizes will be given out from GetBombed.com, whose products include the world's first Beirut/beer pong rack, which Maxim Magazine calls "genius." The rack allows the cups to be perfectly positioned without the risk of players knocking them over and soaking floors and tables. The Web site specializes in other beer pong supplies as well, including pro balls, cups and an official rule book.

CNY Beer Pong League is located in Syracuse and is open to all people over 21 who love beer, games and meeting new people. The League holds events, including a hockey night, in addition to its tournaments and has its own set of official beer pong rules that can be found on its site, cnybeerpong.com.

If You Pong

What: Beer pong tournament

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Clinton Street Pub

Why: $1,000 prize

For more info: cnybeerpong.com