Get your bowling shoes polished because the bowling event of the semester is about to strike Illinois State University.

Starting at 8 p.m. on Thursday and running until midnight, the University Program Board is hosting a “Reggie Nites” event. The event will open up the Bowling and Billiards Center for an evening of wallet-free fun. The event is free and open to any student with a valid university ID.

“We are really looking forward to the event. We have teamed up with the BBC and have a whole line-up of really fun activities for students. Free bowling, billiards and karaoke will be available as will a bunch of other scheduled activities,” Meghan Reilly, Late Night Committee director at the UPB, said.

The UPB is also sponsoring a number of other activities in and around the BBC to keep students occupied.

“There will be opportunities to play board games, do different types of crafts, and just have a good evening not doing homework,” Reilly added.

Jill C. Weaver / Daily Vidette Senior Staff Photographer: Courtney Huro, junior history education major, bowls inside of the bowling and billiards center on Monday evening.

In addition, Papa John’s will be catering the event with free pizza and appetizers.

Thursday’s “Reggie Nites” is the first event in a string of free bowling, billiards and karaoke events due to take place throughout the semester. A full semester schedule of “Reggie Nites” activities can be found on the UPB Web site, www.programboard.ilstu.edu.

“As a new part to the event this year, we are trying to do something different for each of the ‘Reggie Nites.’ This week, we are going to have a variety of board games set out for students to play while they are waiting for a lane or table to open up,” Rachael Jones, Redbird Family committee chairperson, said.

“For each of the nights that we have free bowling and billiards events, we are going to host a different theme for each night. Bingo, button making and cookie decorating are all types of events scheduled throughout the semester,” Jones added.

Chelsey Gaffney, a junior child development major, works  part-time  at  the BBC and

“Even when it’s not a ‘Reggie Nite’, students should take advantage of the BBC. It’s the cheapest bowling in town (at under two dollars a game) and is a really fun way to escape everyday college living,” Gaffney said.

“Bowling is a very social activity and it’s great to be part of the ISU community in such a fun way,” she added.

In addition to bowling and billiards, the BBC recently opened a snack bar sure to cure any munchie fixes.

The snack center hosts a line-up of nachos, pizza, popcorn and various other bowl-friendly foods. The best deal in town, students can buy a hot dog, chips and a fountain drink for three dollars.

“We really want to bring students together for this event,” Jones said. “We want students to be able to have fun with their ISU family, because they really are your second family.”