In light of Homecoming, the Alumni Associate Student Ambassador Program (AASAP) has worked around the clock to prepare events to boost school spirit. Highlights, including the PackHowl Pep Rally and Augustana concert, have caught the attention of many students, but AASAP has held one thing that will always captivate students—free food.
Wear Red, Get Fed has been a staple of the Homecoming activities in the past, according to Jessica Garland, a senior in business administration and chair organizer of the event. For the past eight years, students have lined up for free food in the Brickyard to demonstrate their spirit and to take advantage of a lunch offer.
Throughout the week, the AASAP will distribute food provided by local restaurants to students wearing red, from 11 a.m. until the food runs out.
“Since April we have been organizing and planning,” Garland said. “We are expecting around 1,000 students to participate since we asked our sponsors to provide 1,000 meals. All the sponsors are donating the food.”
Through an act of generosity and an opportunity to market to students, Marco’s Pizza, Dominoes, Wing Zone, Backyard Bistro, Moe’s Southwestern and hotdogs from the Pork Association of North Carolina will be provided free of charge, according to Brittnee Rambo, senior in psychology and AASAP director of Homecoming.
“Sunday night at the kick-off, Marco’s donated more than 1,700 slices, which were all eaten,” Garland said. “We expect all the food to be taken during our time in the Brickyard.
The event is not just an opportunity for students to chow down. The administrators have used it as a chance to connect with the student body. Deans representing various colleges on campus helped the AASAP distribute pizza and drinks to the hungry students in the Brickyard.
“Connecting with the student body is great,” Bob Brown, dean of the College of Natural Resources, said. “Any day getting outside of the office is a good day. It’s nice to get outside for an hour or two to remind myself of the school spirit. Most of the time when we do things like this, for example going to football games, it’s more of a business aspect with donors, but it’s great to see the students’ perspective.”
Along with the deans, the finalists for the Leader of the Pack competition will help out Tuesday, the gymnastics team will work Wednesday, the senior class council will help out on Thursday, and on Friday Chancellor Woodson and Student Body President Kelly Hook will host the lunch.
Besides the free food, students are taking advantage of events like this to accumulate points for University organizations.
“I came out here for the point system for fraternities and other student organizations,” Justin Baker, a senior in political science, said. “Participation and attendance earn points, so I’m hoping to help out my fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji). I’m really hungry too, and surprisingly, the line is moving quickly.”
All the supplemental attractions aside, food was the primary enticer. The line extended from the end of Harrelson Hall to the steps of D.H. Hill Library, but the efficient assembly let students get in and out with food.
“I’m out here mainly because I’m hungry,” Morgan Hightshoe, a senior in zoology, said. “I realized that I was spending way too much money on food lately, so this is a fantastic week to take advantage of a free lunch. This has been a great part of spirit week and it’s an easy way to get involved.”
Chancellor Woodson even made an appearance on the Brickyard Monday afternoon. In an effort to connect with students and get involved in student affairs, Woodson explained, “This is my first Homecoming here and it’s great so far. There’s a lot of spirit.”
Woodson said the University exists to educate students and it’s one of the reasons why he has always worked in universities.
“We’re here to interact with the students. It really brings a balance to life,” Woodson said. “All this morning I was out at Research Triangle Park — I’m on the RTP board of directors — and I was dealing with big management issues, but this Wear Red, Get Fed event has been a really fun break.”
