With .38 Special as the headlining band, the 18th annual Beta Sigma Beta Sy Barash Regatta committee came through this year with another "big name" classic rock band.

"They were the same type of draw as REO Speedwagon. They have a lot of good songs and they seemed to be the right band," said Seth Reidenberg, a regatta chairman from Beta Sigma Beta fraternity, 255 E. Fairmount Ave. REO Speedwagon played at last year's regatta.

The committee chose the band because of the diversity of its fans, said Hillary Waldman, a regatta chairwoman from Sigma Delta Tau sorority, 1 Shulze. The regatta committee expects .38 Special to attract both older Centre County residents and students.

"It's kind of a blast from everybody's past," said David Hofmann (senior-ceramic science and engineering).

Hofmann said he remembers .38 Special from his high school days and they should attract a large older crowd.

"It's going to tackle more of the local people," said Clarence Day, 1992 Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon entertainment chairman. Day said that although he likes .38 Special, he doesn't consider them a "college band."

Some students agreed, saying that although .38 Special is a "big name band," students aren't their primary audience.

"I don't know if it's really a band that a lot of people will get excited about," said Lisa Kunkle (sophomore-mechanical engineering).

But many students will remember some of the band's songs like "Hold On Loosely," "Teacher Teacher" and "Caught Up in You," Waldman said, adding that the band should still draw a large student crowd to Bald Eagle State Park on April 26.

Eddie Money and Cheap Trick were other headlining bands the regatta committee considered.

Eddie Money was the first choice, but he plays in Los Angeles at that time. Cheap Trick was the alternate choice if .38 Special wasn't available, Reidenberg said.

"Out of the choices, I think they went with the right one," Day said.

Reidenberg said negotiations are under way to get another "headlining band" to open for .38 Special, but he declined to name the band until everything is confirmed.

Tickets will be the same price as last year -- $5 prior to the regatta and $10 at the gate.

Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.