The Facts: Reynolds Coliseum was again the site of the University’s annual Campout for men’s basketball tickets against UNC-Chapel Hill, Friday. The event, which was removed from its traditional home last year, was witness to bitter temperatures but few complaints from students.
Our Opinion: Student Government was thoughtful to move Campout back to Reynolds. The date could have used better consideration, but the event went off without any major hitches.
Campout is one of N.C. State’s oldest traditions. Many alumni fondly recall the tradition as one of the University’s finest and will quickly recall their own experiences braving the cold in front of Reynolds Coliseum. In that spirit, students gathered Friday evening to celebrate the Wolfpack.
In a refreshing reversal of last year, the event returned to its customary home on the Jeter Bay parking lot and the north side of Reynolds. The area may not be as spacious as Miller Fields, but certainly is more than capable of engendering the spirit of unity and brotherhood which define the annual event.
Some students complained about the hindrance of being unable to throw a football — due to the special limitations — or inadequate entertainment.
Truth be told, the location reversion was in holding with tradition and most students reacted positively, despite the cold weather.
The date for the event wasn’t great and Student Government seemed intractable on a change. But harsh criticism needs to be withheld due to their lack of options; Martin Luther King Jr. weekend wasn’t possible due to budgetary restrictions and the only other available weekend between now and the game would have been impossible from an administrative standpoint.
Nonetheless, Student Government could have made a better effort to poll students on the issue of a date change or considered holding the event in the waning days of the fall semester.
Despite the cold and the date, many students attended the event in search of elusive tickets to the Jan. 26 match-up against UNC-Chapel Hill. The men’s basketball team has struggled in early conference play, including its heart-breaking defeat on a miracle bid by Florida, but the game against the Tar Heels transcends the ups and downs of each season.
Students came out in force and the event seemed to work smoothly. There have been several grumblings of lost group registrations, but the accounts were supposedly resolved with ease and didn’t detract from the quality or camaraderie of the Campout.
It’s one of the University’s oldest traditions and a source for pride and school spirit, even when our teams struggle. The fall football match-up against Carolina should lay some credence to that article.
