Students enjoyed free food, a live band and a variety of activities Wednesday afternoon outside the PMAC.
The University Center for Freshman Year College Council and LSU Athletics organized Ball-A-Palooza to bring freshman students together and support and promote the LSU men’s basketball team.
Ball-A-Palooza started two hours before Wednesday night’s game.
The Mixed Nuts, a local band, played a variety of songs as some University students played basketball at an outdoor setup nearby. Other students entertained themselves with a bungee run and a Velcro wall situated to the right of the band.
LSU Athletics donated free “Brady Ball” t-shirts and students ate free jambalaya.
Student Senator Chris Odinet said the UCFY college council began organizing Ball-A-Palooza at the end of fall 2003.
Michael Schwartzenberg, a student intern for LSU Athletics, said Ball-A-Palooza was first held three years ago when he was a part of the council.
Both Odinet and Schwartzenberg gave each other credit for organizing the event.
“This is what LSU is all about,” Schwartzenberg said.
Odinet said putting the event together was a learning experience for the UCFY
council.
A portion of the remaining freshman fees were used to finance the event, Odinet said.
He said every semester a large portion of freshman fees go unused, so the council decided to hold an event where freshman students can get together and have fun.
Odinet said even though freshmen were targeted to come to the event, students of all classifications were welcomed.
Mallory Jordan, UCFY college council member, said Ball-A-Palooza also was held to support the men’s basketball team.
Schwartzenberg said because it is the last game of the season and senior Charlie Thompson is the only player leaving the team, they wanted to do something to show support.
“This is our gift to Charlie,” he said.
Chinyere Nwabugwu, an electrical engineering sophomore and a freshman executive committee member, said the FEC was brought to the event through the UCFY council.
Nwabugwu said the council’s final product of the event turned out great, especially because of the free t-shirts and food.
She said the event was enjoyable.
LSU women’s soccer player Julie Newmann said she attended to support her fellow athletes.
“And, it’s hard to turn down the free food,” Newmann said.
Charles Taylor, a business sophomore, said Ball-A-Palooza has encouraged him to attend the basketball game. But he attended the event to see to his friends, The Mixed Nuts, perform.
Cassidy England, a psychology freshman, said she left class for The Mixed Nuts.
England said she heard the band play before and wanted to see them again.
She said she does believe events such as Ball-A-Palooza can bring University freshmen together.
England said she thinks the event can get freshman students hyped for other sporting events besides football.
Music sophomores Darnell and Darrell St. Romain said they found out about Ball-A-Palooza from a notice posted in their residential hall.
Darrell said he already planned to attend the basketball game.
Odinet said he hopes freshmen can expect more events such as Ball-A-Palooza in the future.