Dating game proves love conquers all

Penn and Drexel student groups joined together to present a version of the 'Dating Game' last night at Drexel. Getting dates around Philadelphia's college campuses can be a bit of a challenge. For others, it is more of a game. For the students at last night's Penn-Drexel Lovefest 2000 Dating Game, it was a bit of both. Fashioned after its namesake daytime television program, this pre-Valentine's day event released the laughter and sexual bravado generally associated with spring break or a game of truth or dare. Organized by Drexel's Black Student Union and Alpha Kappa Alpha fraternity along with Penn co-sponsors the Social Planning and Events Committee to Represent Undergraduate Minorities and the Tangible Change Committee, the Lovefest 2000 Dating Game was a "way to help get Valentine's day off to a good start and have something fun on campus," explained event organizer Shanike Hall, a Drexel junior and member of the Black Student Union. The familiar set-up, a participant asking questions of -- and then selecting a date from -- a three-member panel of contestants, evolved into a game of risque one-up-manship between the contestants. Just as on a date, though, the program needed a little time to break the ice. An expectant crowd, at times topping 250 students, filled Drexel University's Creese Student Center, waiting for contestants to lower their guard and reveal their dating secrets. Early in the game's first round, the ice was shattered by Drexel freshman Morris Martin. In response to Penn freshman Iman Martin's question, "If you were taking me on a vacation, where would we go, and why?" Martin simply replied "Back to my house." Then, mocking the first contestant's answer of "Jamaica," he added, "We have postcards of Jamaica and all that good stuff, not that you'd notice." Apparently, Jamaica held a greater appeal, as contestant No. 1, Drexel freshman Rick Dixon, left the stage with Martin as his date to Warm Daddy's, a Philadelphia jazz club and bar. While romantic comments drew sighs and general approval from the crowd, it was the X-rated remarks that made the night memorable for many of the audience members. For instance, when asked what he would wear to "impress a girl when he first met her," Penn Engineering freshman Kyle Chaffin replied with a casual smirk, "Nothing." Indeed, popular culture was thoroughly corrupted as well, such as when Drexel junior Krys Williams asked Rene Ashworth, a College sophomore, "Which movie, song or book title best describes your sex life?" she confidently replied, "Scream," and then, correcting herself, "Scream 3!" In addition to the sexual references, the questions and answers gave a general overview of college life. More than one participant asked how the contestants would respond if they were on a date and had little or no money. When asked what date he would arrange for under $20, Chaffin laughed. "For under $20, we're playing video games," he said.