It’s no secret that Moscow isn’t exactly a bustling metropolis with endless weekend activities, especially once the weather starts to cool down.
To help combat this small town atmosphere that sends many college students to Main Street bars or Greek row parties on weekend nights, the University of Idaho Student Recreation Center developed the Late Night at the Rec program.
For one Friday every month, students can compete into the wee hours of the morning, enjoy free food and hang out at the SRC — which typically closes much earlier on the weekends.
Today, for the first time ever, Late Night at the Rec is hosting a laser tag tournament.
“It’s always tricky to make late night appeal,” said Butch Fealy, director for intramural sports. “We’re just trying to get people to do something fun and active, and try different things that appeal to other interests.”
An external rental company is providing the laser tag and obstacles. Students will compete in teams of four and can be mixed gender. The tournament, like all other Late Nights, will run well past midnight and free food will be provided to keep students energized all night long.
Fealy said past Late Nights, which have included everything from Bingo to Basketball, have drawn in hundreds depending on the activity.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet new students,” he said. “You can run and laugh, build a sense of community, be competitive and be hungry. It’s going to be a great time — especially for new students.”
Skylar Cook, graduate assistant for intramural sports, and Brock Morris, intramural supervisor, will be help to facilitate the event, which they expect to draw a lot of student interest. Cook said they’ve received a positive response from the campus so far and have had many students sign up.
Entries for the event were due Thursday, but students are still welcome to watch their friends and enjoy Late Night at the Rec. The first laser matches begin at 9 p.m.
“It’s great to see the success of Late Night. It’s a great way to interact with peers and stay active,” Morris said. “The culture in Moscow … it’s common knowledge that people like to go out here. This just provides something different. Whether you’re Greek or live in the dorms or off campus, everyone has an opportunity.”
Kaitlyn Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]