When Monday Night Football kicked off last month in the Dawg House, organizers weren’t sure what kind of turnout to expect. Now, five weeks later, the number of attendees has doubled to 200.
The event, organized by Campus Activities Board, gives students the chance to watch Monday night football on a big screen television and eat free pizza.
The event takes place in the Dawg House, located in the bottom floor of the Colvard Student Union.
After CAB had the idea of offering a place for students to gather and watch football, they did what it took to set it into motion. It didn’t take long for the board to realize what would draw a crowd on Monday nights.
“Free food is always an attraction,” CAB student director Mary Clare Ehrhardt said. “Papa John’s is always willing to help out on campus in any way they can.”
Sophomore computer science major David Wilson said Monday Night Football in the Dawg House is probably one of the best events offered on campus.
“It’s a great place to be able to go and hang out with your buddies, eat pizza and watch football,” Wilson said.
After the crowd exceeded expectations the first week, organizers decided to continue.
Since then, CAB has made sure to order plenty of pizza for each week.
Though they are unable to offer free beverages to everyone, they sell drinks and are now providing tea.
“We really wanted to give students a place to kick back away from school and work,” says Ehrhardt.
Ehrhardt said the event is designed to “show the students what is available in the Dawg House-Internet access, a big screen television and a place to relax and hang out.”
“What sets Monday Night Football apart from other events is that it is about offering a very comfortable atmosphere. You don’t always have to have a big production in order to hang out with friends,” Ehrhardt said.
Students who attend weekly are vocal about their appreciation of those who make the event happen.
“They let us know that they are loving it,” Ehrhardt said. “And, while it’s mostly guys watching games, we have our share of girls, too.”
Regardless of gender, the Dawg House is becoming the place to be on Monday nights.
“I think it’s great that the Campus Activities Board is putting forth the effort to offer it to students,” sophomore Daniel Connerley said. “Everyone likes to hang out and watch football. Everyone likes to save money on food.”
“It’s sure to keep getting bigger and bigger,” says Ehrhardt. “Especially once the word gets out about the free food.”
CAB also offers a movie two Wednesday nights per month. During Homecoming week, approximately 650 students gathered on the Drill Field for a showing of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” They also put on the Miss Maroon and White pageant, Dawg Daze, a Halloween Carnival and many more campus events.