Although the heartfelt disappointment following the Ohio State-Michigan game left Buckeye fans wallowing in despair, nearly 400 OSU students decided to raise their spirits by attending the Fall Sports Fest at Larkins Hall.
The University Student Government, which initially planned the variety of sporting events to deter students’ attention away from engaging in acts of misconduct, offered two tickets to the next bowl game as an incentive to attend.
Sarah Heintz, co-director of the projects committee, said she was pleased and overwhelmed by the students’ positive reception to the events. She also acknowledged the unusually mild weather as a contributing factor for the impressive attendance.
“Since there was not a whole lot to celebrate after the game, I think people felt more prone to participate in this event rather than going to the bars,” she said. “Plus, more people are likely to walk all the way to Larkins when we are having such great weather.”
USG members said they were attempting to provide a low-key, pleasant night to students without having to enter a bar.
Jason Hageman, a sophomore in athletic training, said it was convenient having the option to attend a non-drinking activity.
“While I think that it is good to have this program in an effort to avoid problems, I highly doubt that the people who would even consider spending their Saturday night at Larkins, instead of going out to the bars or partying, would start rioting,” he said.
Although the night was fueled by energetic participants, free food and music, the underlying motive for most participants’ involvement was the possibility of winning two free tickets to OSU’s next bowl game.
At 2 a.m., Bryan Hale, a freshman in engineering, was named the winner of the tickets. Although Hale said Fall Sports Fest was a definite achievement and overall success, the bowl game tickets made all the difference in highlighting his night.
“Before my friend and I went to Larkins, we both agreed to take one another to the bowl game if either one of us were lucky enough to win the tickets, so it looks like he’s going along for the ride,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe I actually won. I just kept running up and down the hallways telling everyone that I won. It was quite a moment,” Hale said.
