FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- A Fort Collins bar that was scheduled to host a controversial event pulled out of the deal Monday.

Organizers of the gelatin-wrestling event said some proceeds would be donated to a foundation created in memory of a Colorado State University sophomore who died of alcohol poisoning.

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A flier on campus promoted Wrestle-O, a series of wrestling tournaments that was to be put on at CB & Potts Clubhouse. It said the first 100 women in the door would receive a free shot and some proceeds would be donated to the SAM Spady Foundation.

On Monday, the bar announced it was pulling out of the event.

Samantha Spady, a 19-year-old from Beatrice, Neb., was found dead of acute alcohol poisoning on Sept. 5 in the Sigma Pi fraternity house. She had a blood alcohol level of .436 percent -- five times the legal limit for driving in Colorado. An autopsy determined that the 19-year-old sophomore had consumed 30 to 40 beers and vodka shots within an 11-hour period.

At least three other university students in Colorado have died this fall in alcohol-related incidents.

The event's organizers said they're trying to promote responsible drinking and hoped to donate at least $100 to the foundation regardless whether the event earns a profit.

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"This is not a benefit," said Brian Collins, president of Excalibur Entertainment, the parent company of Architecture Productions, which sponsored the event. "It's just a donation from us. We're trying to be sensible members of the community and show that we want to be part of the community."

The Sam Spady Foundation issued a statement Monday afternoon that denounced the event.

"We find it abhorrent that anyone would exploit the tragedy of her death in this manner. We have not spoken with any of the organizers of this event, nor do we intend to, as this type of activity is exactly what we would like to see abolished," the statement read in part.

Collins said he does not condone binge drinking, and any donation would come from entry fees and not alcohol sales.

"This (Spady's death) set off a really big outcry on campus about irresponsible alcohol use and abuse,'' said CSU student Kendra Wiig. "It seems to me like they're not encouraging a healthy attitude toward alcohol ... It's like if I held a lung cancer benefit and gave out cigarettes at the door."

The SAM Spady foundation, created by Spady's parents, Rick and Patty Spady, hopes to find an effective peer-to-peer alcohol awareness program that can be used in college freshman orientations. SAM stands for student alcohol management and was Spady's nickname.

More Information:

Learn more about the SAM Spady Foundation at SamSpadyFoundation.org.
Donations may be mailed to:
SAM Spady Foundation
P.O. Box 701
Beatrice NE 68310-0701