Grace College is hoping to reclaim the title of world record holders in the game of Knockout.

Knockout – also known as Lightning – is a game that involves players shooting baskets to survive elimination and, in turn, eliminate other players. The basic rule of the game is if the trailing player makes a shot before the leading player, the leading player is eliminated. The winner of the game is the last remaining player.

In 2011 Grace College made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest game of Knockout with 400 players. Last year, however, Iowa State swooped in and stole the record with a whopping 571 players. “We want to regain the title so we’re going out into the community to ask for help,” said Allison Kauffman, one of the event coordinators.

In addition to trying to re-establish the world record, the goal of the Friday, April 19, event, is to raise money for MudLOVE and Integrated Community Development International. Both work toward bringing clean drinking water to the people of Africa.

The public is encouraged to take part in the Knockout game and help set the new world record. All participants are asked to donate $1 toward the causes.

Kauffman and Rachel Franklin are among the Grace College students enrolled in an event management class that is organizing the April 19 Knockout game. The committee involves about 25 students altogether.

Kauffman said the class teaches practical experience and encourages students to engage in something where they learn supervisory roles, planning and organization skills, marketing and “really just how to think through the whole process of how something can be accomplished,”

Realizing that not everyone who attends the Knockout game will want to play – parents may bring their kids to take part in it – the group of students has also planned for other things to cater to everyone. There will be face painting, corn hole and other games, food concessions, prizes and MudLOVE will be on hand selling bracelets.

“Whether we set the world record or not, we’re going to have fun and enjoy a family friendly Friday night,” said Kauffman.

Doors for the Knockout challenge to break the world record will open at 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 19, at the Orthopaedic Capital Center on the Grace College campus. Everyone planning to be part of the game MUST be in the line on the gym floor when the game starts at 6 p.m. Official Guinness Book of World Record rules dictate very specific guidelines to be considered for the record.

Kauffman concluded, “We’re marketing it as a time to come out to make memories and be a part of the record-breaking event. Maybe for some it will be a once in a lifetime thing.”