College students flooded the RBC Center Thursday night in support of the Carolina Hurricanes during College Night, an event for college students to receive discounted tickets and to learn about the College Caniac Rush Program.
According to Paul Hutchens, group sales representative for the Hurricanes, about 80 percent of the students represented at College Night were from N.C. State.
“It’s probably around that number, but we haven’t gone through the numbers yet.” Hutchens said. “It’s been really successful and everyone seemed to be having a good time.”
Despite the Hurricanes’ 5-2 loss against the division rival Washington Capitols, students said they enjoyed the night that featured promotions and events during the two intermissions.
As the doors opened to the arena, students were able to receive a free t-shirt by presenting their college student identification.
“I really enjoyed our free t-shirts,” Oliver Brooks, a senior in business, said. “I’m only disappointed that there were no food or beverage specials for college students tonight.”
A few game breaks consisted of Mrs. Wuf and a selected college student riding on the Zamboni. During the first intermission was a shoot-out between State and UNC-Chapel Hill hockey players. The Wolfpack won the shootout 3-1.
“I’m glad we got to see our hockey team beat Carolina tonight in the shoot-out,” Win Bell, senior in chemistry, said. “We can’t beat them in football and basketball, so hockey is good enough.”
In a seperate shoot-out, a State student defeated a UNC-CH student 9-5 and won tickets to a Hurricanes home game. Stephen Sykes, a sophomore in engineering, won an XBOX 360 along with a library of games.
Fliers on each seat made students aware of the Caniac Rush Program, a seasonal program for students to receive discounted tickets at each home game.
“Now that we know about the program and that it’s cheaper to come to the games, I think I will start coming to more Hurricanes games,” Brooks said.
Allison Metzler, a senior in biological sciences, said College Night made her want to buy season tickets.
“[College Night] is a great way to get me in to see the Hurricanes,” Metzler said. “I’m fortunate to be able to see them, and it inspired me to buy season tickets when I graduate.”
Hutchens said due to the great amount of support received by students during College Night, the Hurricanes plan to promote this event every year.
“We thought everyone seemed to be having a good time,” Hutchens said. “We want the college students to start coming out and having a good time. It’s another sporting option for them. The weather was a damper on tailgating, so next time hopefully it will be a warm atmosphere.”
Students agree the Hurricanes should host College Night annually.
Alice Raad, a freshman in First Year College, also said she wants College Night to be an annual event.
“It is the only time Duke, UNC and State fans can sit together,” Raad said. “I like that.”
Smith Mackey, a senior in agriculture business, said he enjoyed supporting the Hurricanes on College Night.
