Visitors to the Tate Student Center Plaza today will be treated to an unusual sight — a 6-foot diameter, bright red, bouncy ball covered in signatures and drawings.

Members of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity playfully bounced the ball back and forth while entreating passersby to sign their names for charity.

The fraternity is using the ball as a fund-raising device for the Sexual Assault Center of Northeast Georgia.

“(Sexual assault) is a huge problem, so you’d think the center would get a lot of support in Athens,” said Nathan Williams, a senior from Decatur and fraternity member. “But the center is not that well-known.”

The big red ball can be found rolling around downtown Athens and at the Tate Plaza everyday through Saturday.

On game day, members will roll the ball through downtown and then down Sanford Drive encouraging people to sign.

Williams said the fraternity is aiming at getting 5,000 signatures.

Besides flat donations, the fraternity is raising money by having businesses sponsor signatures on the ball.

Williams said nearly 15 business have agreed to pay one penny per signature, which could add up to a large fund.

The fraternity held the same fund-raiser last year and was able to raise more than $3,000 for the center.

“I think (the ball) draws a lot of attention,” said Leia Travis, a senior from Conyers who signed the ball. “I mean, everyone sees it walking through the Tate Center.”

The eye-catching object is also a helpful tool for raising awareness as well as money.

“At least we have a chance to tell people about (the center),” said fraternity member Alejandro DeCastro, a senior from Madrid, Spain. “It’s pretty cool, especially when you get feedback from people.”

Williams said people need to become aware of the center and the support it offers students because “Athens is … infamous for (sexual assault).”

At the center, people can receive different forms of counseling, advocacy, and legal and medical accompaniment free of charge, according to the Hart County resource manual Web site (www.nega.net/resources/s/sexualasault.htm).

Awareness of the center is very beneficial to students, especially with the recent departure of Safe Campuses Now, said Andrew Pallos, a senior from Atlanta who signed the ball.

“I think it’s sad how little support the Sexual Assault Center gets from students,” he said.