Upholding a 20-year tradition of the Big Eight Conference on Black Student Government, nine choirs and musicians from Big 12 schools performed Friday night at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

The Big Eight Gospel Extravaganza attracted an audience of more than 1,000 people and had people swaying and clapping from 9 p.m. until after 1 a.m.

DeVaughn Stephens, a freshman in business administration and director of the event, said he has been singing in church choirs for years and was honored to be chosen as the director.

“It was a tremendous task, but the people made it easy. There’s nothing left to say because the choirs said it all. The overall message was that Jesus Christ is the way,” he said.

Stephens said he gives special thanks to St. Thomas Aquinas Church and to organizers and students who helped make the conference a success.

“I felt the conference was a success. This was a historic event on the ISU campus because it was the last Big Eight Conference to be held,” he said.

Next year the conference name will be the Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government.

The extravaganza featured everything from gospel rap to traditional soul music with a washboard.

“It was very inspiring with students from all over. I’m ecstatic about the success of the conference,” said Joi Lewis, an adviser for the event.

Stephens said the Gospel Extravaganza is a well-known and anticipated part of the conference.

“It’s a Friday night tradition people look forward to,” Stephens said.