Traffic became business as usual last week as the Fall semester kicked off with new students moving onto campus.
But this year, Residential Life enlisted extra volunteers. Student athletes took part hauling plastic trunks, mini fridges and room décor into dorm rooms.
Assistant Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Civic Engagement at the Cox Communication Center, Jade Bryan, said about 200 student athletes volunteered across campus on Move-In Day 2013.
According to Bryan, LSU president F. King Alexander came up with the idea, and athletic coaches encouraged players to participate.
Sports administration senior, Alfred Blue, was one of many football players stationed at Kirby Smith Hall last week.
“A lot of people were shocked, you know. A lot of football players jumping out the van, walking up to them, like, ‘Hey, can we help you?’”
Although the running back can bench almost 350 pounds, Blue did have some challenges.
“Oh yeah, it was a workout you know. The heaviest thing I carried was an icebox up to the seventh floor.”
Yes, carried.
“I went up the elevator but it was kinda moving slow; so, I just jumped out on like the fifth floor and just went up the stairs.”
Student athletes also recruited new fans and promoted athletics’ image while doing the heavy lifting.
Mass communication graduate student and gymnast, Kayleigh Dickson, laid the ground work for LSU gymnastics supporters at Broussard Hall.
“We are definitely talking to the incoming freshmen and their parents. Gymnastics, gymnastics meets, when they are. So, we’re definitely hoping to get some more support out of this.”
Although Bryan said Move-In Day was about instilling a sense of community and partnership, Blue said he hopes volunteering improves his team’s public image.
“We’re good guys, we don’t mind helping out, even though we work out and our schedule is busy with football all day long. We don’t mind taking out time in our schedule.”
For Bryan, Move-In Day was a success, and she hopes this becomes a staple every school year.