When Penn State student Cory Wincek fell from his second-floor downtown apartment balcony more than a year ago, the State College Knights of Columbus wanted to do something to help.

They began having Texas Hold 'Em no limit poker tournaments to benefit Wincek's trust fund.

Last night, 67 people gathered to play poker; the event raised $720, and the winner won $330, said the Knights of Columbus member Lionel Bassett.

Wincek also showed up to the tournament, making it his first appearance at one of the many benefits since his fall, Bassett said.

"He seems to be in real good spirits," Bassett said. "He's a lot bigger than I remembered. He said he's been doing upper body strength stuff. That's what he has to rely on."

Competitors had a $25 buy-in, and they played in 20-minute levels.

Wincek, 21, fell 16 feet after the balcony gave way outside his University Terrace apartment, 924 Bellaire Ave., on March 31, 2006.

As a result of the fall, he was paralyzed from the waist down and is suing the building's owners for negligence.

Wincek seeks the recoverable expense from his medical bills in his lawsuit against the Keystone Real Estate and The Apartment Store.

Now, "he's going to school and trying to make the best of his situation," said Bob Hershey, one of the tournament's organizers.

Wincek was forced to withdraw from spring semester because of a surgery, but he's back taking classes this summer.

Before his fall, Wincek played poker with the Knights of Columbus when they would hold tournaments, Bassett said. Wincek's father, Ron, is a member of the organization.

After the fall, the Knights of Columbus decided their tournaments should benefit Cory Wincek.
The trust fund, which the tournament benefits, is used for medical costs and other expenses associated with that, Bassett said.

"His family's had to make major modifications to the house," he said. "They're trying to get a car for him."

In April, Wincek underwent surgery that attempted to quell symptoms of quadriplegia when he began to experience weakness in his left hand and a tingling sensation in his right arm.

Bassett said he remembers Cory Wincek helping out at the Knights of Columbus since he dad is a member.

"He's a good spirit," Basset said. "He's fully convinced that he's going to recover from this."