NORMAL -- A fundraiser for a scholarship in memory of slain Illinois State University student Olamide Adeyooye fell short of its goal Saturday. But organizers say they'll rally to better next year's turnout.

The fourth annual Play for Olamide Bean Bags Tournament drew only 60 participants -- down from its usual 100, said organizer Steve Clayton, an ISU senior from Carol Stream.

"The biggest thing we're going to have to do is focus on this, and raise awareness all year," said Clayton, ISU Student Foundation president.

Clayton blamed the low turnout on Saturday's rainy and cold weather, as well as bad timing -- the contest fell on the same day as a major ISU sorority event.

But the ISU Student Foundation president said he was pleased the event brought between $1,100 and $1,300 for the scholarship. Registration is $20 per team, but some donate more, he said. State Farm Insurance Cos. also made a contribution.

The tournament's proceeds help a fund honoring Adeyooye, a 21-year-old who disappeared from her campus-area apartment in October 2005. She was found dead in rural Mississippi a few days later. Maurice Wallace, who lived in the neighborhood, was convicted and is serving a life sentence for the murder.

"Even for those of us who didn't know her personally -- it was a real tragedy," said Clayton, who was a freshman the year she died. "Keeping her memory from fading away on campus is important. And this scholarship does that."

The tournament was created as a fun, college-themed event that honors her personality, he said. Adeyooye's friends described her as someone who was always happy, with an extremely optimistic look on life, said Clayton. So he thinks the fun game atmosphere is a tribute to her.

The Alamo II provides $150, $100, and $50 gift-certificate prizes, and hosts the event on the store's property, said Mike Flanigan, general manager. "It provides a nice central campus location," he said.

Jake Wolber and Cody Cox, both ISU seniors from Rock Falls, played in the tournament.

Wolber, a marketing major, said this was the pair's first year participating.

"I didn't really notice the weather. I'm pretty competitive once I get playing," he said. The seniors were eliminated in the round just before placing, he said. But knowing the team's registration fee helped the fund softened the blow, he said.

One year after her death, the Adeyooye scholarship had raised $20,000 and reached endowed status, ensuring the fund's continuation. But the work isn't done, Clayton said. Because the scholarships are funded from interest accrued on that fund, it's imperative to keep fundraising efforts strong, he said.

In February 2007, the first recipient was awarded $1,000, and the next year another student got $1,500. The ISU Student Foundation expects this year's award also to be about $1,500.

The student group knows a bigger award would help more, though. "We'd like to be able to give out a full scholarship," said Clayton.

Today the fund stands at roughly $60,000, but $100,000 is needed to fund a full scholarship.