While learning important facts about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, two teams, one of females, the other of males, played water races, obstacle courses and other competitive games.
The third annual Battle of the Sexes, hosted by the Black Student Union, was held in Lee Field May 1, at 6 p.m. The competition consisted of an egg race, three-legged race, obstacle course, eating contest, relay race, tug-o-war, hula-hoop competition and the tiebreaker, a relay race on a water inflatable slide.
According to the president of BSU, Adonica Reed, the thought of the game battle of the sexes came from a normal day.
“It started with us sitting in a room, and we were like ‘We work so hard during the school year. We are big kids at heart so let’s have fun, and [while] we are having fun we want to teach everybody about HIV awareness and AIDS,'” said Reed.
The money raised by BSU events is given to outside organizations.
“The money goes toward the Lupus Foundation of America and we also send our money to an HIV and AIDS center,” said Reed.
HIV and AIDS awareness can be awkward, but BSU found a way to have fun while learning about it.
Jasmine Franklin, treasurer of BSU, said, “The purpose of the event is to give them more knowledge on STD facts and the ones that are on campus.  For example, one of them is [that] gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia are the three most common STDs on Southeastern’s campus. Things like that they didn’t know, and also to have fun and be competitive and an end of the year bang.”
Battle of the Sexes was decided upon as the tiebreaking event this year.
“Last year, the boys won. The year before that, the girls won. So this year, we called it the tie breaker,” said Franklin.
The winners also receive a token of appreciation.
“Whoever wins, we are going to give medals,” said Franklin.
The participants enjoyed the event and were surprised at how much competition there was.
Dwayne Woodard, freshman finance major, said, “I really enjoyed the event. I enjoyed meeting some new people and enjoying what we could with my peers. I really enjoyed the tug-o-war because the girls were a lot stronger than I expected, and I enjoyed the obstacle course. I felt like a kid again. I hope this happens again.”
The event was helpful and fun and helped students to know more about the dangers of HIV and STDs.
Kiamone Dunbar, freshman nursing major, said, “The event went very [well]. Everyone participated and had fun. It was friendly, and I hope they do another one. They also taught us HIV facts. It helped clarify things and know more about HIV.”   
The event was a success, even though problems occurred. Students still came out and enjoyed the event, and were able to learn important facts, unwind and play like kids again.
“I think the event went really well, every event has its problems, but with those problems we overcame them,” said Reed.
For more information on what the Black Student Union does on campus, visit their Facebook group, Southeastern’s BSU: Black Student Union.