OSWEGO -- Intercollegiate and intramural activities, a
bonfire with pep rally, live entertainment and more are on the playbook
for SUNY Oswego's first-ever Laker Days, Feb. 6 to 8.
"Laker Days is something we hope will become an
annual tradition," said Sonia Robinson, the event's coordinator. "We've
had a campus-wide group working on a wide range of events that we truly
believe will offer something for everybody. It's a great way to shake
off cabin fever while having a lot of fun."
The festival, made possible by an National
Collegiate Athletic Association Choices grant, will feature home
athletic contests for Oswego's nationally ranked ice hockey and
wrestling teams, but many of the sporting events for the weekend will
be participatory. Contests in racquetball, basketball, broomball and
other competitions -- including a human dogsled race -- will take place
throughout the event.
Activities on Friday, Feb. 6, will include a panel
presentation "Sports: Past, Present and Future" at noon that will
tackle the general history of professional and amateur sports, women
and minorities in sports, and the athletic tradition at SUNY Oswego.
After the 7 p.m. hockey game with Buffalo, visitors will be able to
enjoy a sandwich competition and battle of the bands during Romney
Rocks and Rolls.
A bonfire and pep rally near the Laker Hall south
parking lot at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, will precede the Oswego hockey
game against Fredonia in Romney. Another highlight, "Oswego Idol" at
9:30 p.m. that night, will be a local version of the popular "American
Idol" talent show. Saturday's activities will wrap with an indoor
winter carnival, featuring games and food, starting 11 p.m.
Sunday's events will include a 5K walk/run starting
at 10:30 a.m.
The NCAA Choices grant aims to promote institutional
pride through strengthening active participation of the student body in
intercollegiate athletic contests and other alcohol-free
campus-sponsored events. The project, which also includes a proactive
alcohol course for first-year student-athletes, is co-directed by Jean
Conway, academics and life skills coordinator for student athletes.