Stony Brook spirit soared this Saturday at “The Lot” before the home opener football game. “The Lot” is the newest, student-only addition to “Seawolves Town,” Stony Brook’s new tailgating experience.
The Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing, Chris Murray, said the lot was created based on a student’s idea from a survey meant to improve student life at Stony Brook.
Students flocked to a performance by JUSTUS Raps, a popular YouTube and Instagram rapper. Students sung and showed off their best dance moves for a chance to win a free Stony Book t-shirt from JUSTUS.
“Our hope is that The Lot will help turn Saturdays in fall into ‘#SeawolvesSaturdays,’” Murray said about the new tailgating activities this year.
As many as 500 students participated in the Battle Ball free play and tournament, according to Steve More, a member of the Weekend Life Council who was in charge of the tournament. The top four teams received various gift such as Wolfie bobble heads and hats provided by the bookstore, Market Place, FSA and Office of Student Affairs.
Burgers, hotdogs and chicken sliders were grilled up for the game at a free barbecue sponsored by Applebee’s.
Families and students also brought their own barbecues to set up. Students took up the lot playing popular lawn games like cornhole and Kan Jam. In Seawolves town, there was something for everybody.
Freshman Daniel Humphreys said, “This was a great starter to the season. I feel like there was always plenty going on, and it really boosted campus morale.”
“The Lot” is meant to become a pregame ritual with themes and activities for all, such as Country Music Night featuring line dancing and hay bails for next week’s home game on Sept. 19.
Students are encouraged to follow @WolfpackSBU on Twitter or like the “Stony Brook Wolfpack” page on Facebook for all the latest updates on “The Lot.” Here, they can join the Wolfpack and help ‘The Lot” grow.
Murray also said students can send in suggestions of events they would like to see in the future.
The long term goal is to get various student musical and dance groups involved, as well as other entertainment in order to give students the best overall fan and tailgating experience.
