For English major Michelle Soumas, the campus activity she enjoys most involves a college student”s two favorite things: money and food.
“Of all of the Rec”s Late Night events, I like grocery bingo the best,” she said. “They have more exciting events too but I”m kind of a grandma, I”m also poor and need money for food.”
Grocery Bingo, where students play bingo with the chance to win free groceries, is one of many activities hosted by the Student Recreation Center through its event series Late Night at the Rec.
The events, which range from laser tag to team-based indoor sports, are held at the SRC once a month on Friday nights.
Kira Hunter | Argonaut
Students compete in friendly games of ping pong during the first Late Night at the Rec hosted by the university Friday August 21.
Kristin Strong, SRC special events coordinator, said the events always begin at 9 p.m. and have no definitive end time. But, she said, the events often stretch on late into the night.
“Sometimes we don”t end until 1 a.m. in the morning,” she said. “It depends on how big of a student turn-out there is and what event is going on – sports and team-based things usually take more time.”
Strong said the event series began as a way to provide students with engaging activities on weekend nights.
“The purpose is to get students together on a Friday night,” she said. “It”s an opportunity for students to engage in fun activities in a safe environment and it”s great for meeting new people.”
In addition to finding a fun activity on campus during weekend nights, Strong said Late Night at the Rec also provides students with the chance to try new things.
“These events are a way to branch out a try some new activities,” she said. “We do a lot of recreational team sports. It”s not very competitive and helps new foster relationships.”
Strong said the events are chosen by responses on student surveys.
“Every time we have a late night event we survey the students and ask about their experience,” she said. “I compile information based on the survey results and we start planning things from there.”
Soumas said laser tag and sports-based events are among the most popular Late Night at the Rec activities.
“They offer a variety of things like soccer and volleyball,” Soumas said. “It”s really cool for people who are into that, who maybe played sports in high school but aren”t part of a team here in college.”
Strong said the first Late Night at the Rec event of the year is team laser tag on Sept. 11.
“Laser tag is our first event “¦ our events are free to all UI students and we always have food there,” she said. “We also have lots of prizes that we often award to the top three or four teams.”
Soumas said that in addition to the free snacks and potential prizes, the SRC”s events are just a good way to hang out with friends and get involved.
“These events are a fun way to introduce yourself to the Rec Center and all it has to offer,” Soumas said. “They can be exciting and kind of intense and always a fun things to bring friends to.”
Corrin Bond can be reached at [email protected]
Late Night at the Rec Schedule:
Sept. 11 – Laser Tag
Oct. 9 – Indoor soccer
Nov. 13 – Co-rec volleyball
Dec. 4 – 3-on-3 basketball
Jan. 29 – TBD
Feb. 19 – TBD
April 8 – Grocery Bingo