On Jan. 27, Student Engagement and Leadership, along with the Orientation and Family Services Department, organized a Hockey Tailgate from 1 to 3 p.m. following the end of WinterFest earlier in the day. 

WinterFest brought Build-A-Buddy and open skate opportunities. The tailgate offered a considerably more relaxed environment to celebrate the season that Oswego’s women’s and men’s Hockey teams have had so far. The night before, on Jan. 26, the women’s team lost their away game at SUNY Cortland 1-4, while the men’s team won their home game against Anna Maria College 5-3. 

The tailgate was held upstairs in the Marano Campus Center’s Hearth Lounge just outside the arena, where a chili bar was offered. It included three different types of chili, cornbread and dips, as well as water and lemonade before the women’s Hockey team went head-to-head in their rematch with SUNY Cortland at 3 p.m. 

During this game, the Oswego women’s team won with a final score of 3-1, and the men’s Hockey team against Morrisville State College followed later at 7 p.m., which ended with a score of 4-1. 

Moreover, in the Hearth Lounge, attendees could enjoy music and games such as larger versions of “Connect 4” and “Jenga.” More games spread into Room 114 beside the lounge, where a quieter area allowed visitors to get away from the noise with ladder golf and cornhole. Members of the women’s hockey team made a quick appearance on their way to warm up and stretch before their game later in the day, as well as their opponents, who stopped by for some food as they made their way down to the visiting locker room. 

The tailgate ended with the drawing of the four-prize raffle. The prizes were all items found in the College Bookstore (also located in the Marano Campus Center), such as a bucket hat and lanyard set, a sweater shirt blanket, a hockey jersey and a hat and scarf set. 

In the time leading up to 2:30 p.m., those looking to participate in the raffle could scan a QR code to fill out a Google Form stating their name, school email and which prize they would pick should their name be called. Winners were announced by one of the tailgate organizers, Maddy Knaack. 

Knaack, the primary Coordinator of the Student Orientation and Success department, explained that the event, along with its preceding event of WinterFest, was conceived as being closer to what is deemed “Welcome Back Week.” She attributed the idea for the week of various activities to a collaborator of hers, who thought students both returning and new to our campus deserved to be welcomed into the spring semester just as they are in the fall with LakerFest.

LakerFest is held during the first week of class in the fall semester, and is meant to ease the transition from high school to college by celebrating a student’s first few days of classes. WinterFest aims to do the same for those starting college in the spring semester.

Photo by: SUNY Oswego