Chopper rides, food on Play Day calander

By semester’s end many students just need a rest. The university realized this and has since scheduled the second Thursday of April as a holiday to provide a break.

Play Day, as it is known, will be hosted on the 12th as a campus wide opportunity to get involved.
“It is a day off to have fun, relax, recreate, fellowship before you really have to buckle down for finals,” Student Government Association director and one of the coordinators for the event, Kristy Brischke, said.

In the past it was handled only by the SGA, but this year Campus Activities Board, Resident Housing Association, Student Affairs and the Mayborn staff are helping with the event, Brischke said. Some of the planning, she admits, started as far back as November.

Chris Berkley, student body president and part of the work force, said his duties “have been to coordinate the advertising, brainstorm events, and help make sure everything goes off without a hitch.”

After seeing all the offices come together and focus their efforts he said he thinks, “the hard work of the different organizations involved will show as Play Day 2007 is bigger and better than ever. There is such a broad range of events being held.”

Some events planned for this year include helicopter and hot air balloon rides, athletic and Guitar Hero tournaments, paint your own pottery, paintball, spa day and a dance with live music. As for the food, students will have the opportunity to try crawfish for dinner.

In spite of the work of  organizing, Brischke said she is “really excited about the paintball and the dance with live music.”

Activities she anticipates to bring in the crowds are the hot air balloons and helicopter rides, but she did say attendees should not miss out on all the entertainment.

With a variety to enjoy, the only requirement is to show up. The activities are on a first come, first serve basis.

Of course, each event has its own rules and perks, such as registration for the athletic tournaments 30 minutes before they start.

Paintball will be offered several times each hour, but because of cost and fairness, the university will charge for every game after the initial one.

On the other hand, a nice advantage is the first 50 people’s pottery projects will be paid for by the Play Day fund. 

The determining factor of Play Day 2007 will be the number of participants.

"We're trying to make this Play Day the best one ever, but we need the whole campus to come to achieve that,” said Carrie Norwood, director of programs for SGA.

Brischke also said with all the activities going on, many volunteers are needed to help events run smoothly. Those interested in helping, may contact the Student Development Office, ext. 4590.