Fans of the video game "NFL Madden 2008" moved their routine from the living room sofa to fold-out chairs in the SUB.
About 40 students registered to compete in the annual competition that was held Thursday, sponsored by Black Men in Motion. The final tournament will be today.
The winner will receive a $100 prize, said Jay Goodman, founder of the group.
"(The winner) is crowned Madden King of the Year - it's more of a street term," he said. "Beneath the undercurrent of UNM, he roams the streets as Madden King."
Goodman said group members organized the event because they saw a demand for it on campus.
"Football is the second-most demanded sport in America, besides baseball," he said.
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Next to projectors of the game, tables have been set up in the ballroom to register students to vote. The group wants to motivate students to vote in the presidential election.
"If we can get these couch potatoes off of the couch and lower them into the ballroom, we'll be knocking them off two birds with one stone," he said. "Then Black Men in Motion has done their jobs, pushing the forefront of democracy."
Justin Aderhold, president of the organization, said the main objective of the group was to promote the goals and the interests of its members.
"The main goal is to promote the professional goals and personal endeavors of our members," he said.
Aderhold said he wants students to have the opportunity to meet new people at the event and do something they like to do.
"Madden is a good way to bring people together, and you know men like football," he said.
Josh Martinez, a participant, said the event was a great way to spend time on campus.
"If we're not working or going to class, we're playing Madden," he said. "It's a really cool experience."
