Tuesday night marked the premier of a new addition to the family of hallowed Homecoming activities and traditions with the event “Minute to Win It.”  Sixteen student organizations from Southeastern presented their most agile contestants to try and procure points for their organization during the Homecoming festivities.

“Minute to Win It” is Southeastern’s own spin, based upon the popular NBC television show of the same name. Contestants are asked to compete head-to-head in such zany events as the “Extreme Hanky Panky” or “Chocolate Unicorn” in an elimination type showdown until only two contestants remain.

“Minute” is the replacement for the Homecoming activity “Fear Factor.” Another popular television game show based event, which required contestants to complete tasks such as eating bugs if they answered questions incorrectly.

“We needed a change. Fear Factor was not as with the times,” said Dream Team Chairman Luke Holloway. “Fear Factor was as relevant and ‘Minute to Win It’ is popular right now.”

In the past “Fear Factor” was an hour longer than its predecessor, “Minute” did succeed in going into overtime. The remaining two contestants Christen Abels from Alpha Omicron Pi and CJ “Meerkat” Agar from Kappa Sigma competed tete a tete in the final impromptu challenge which consisted of a the contestants having to separate green and gold skittles into separate cups. Both contestants competed with good humor, when Abels was declared winner only for a miscount to be announced.

They competed a second time, when an accidental rule bender was committed, causing the pair to have to start again.

The third time was a charm as the skittles game was combined with Kappa Sigma’s “Elephant March,” a game requiring the contestants to knock over water bottles with a panty hose on the head that held tennis balls in the foot.

Here, again, Abels remained victorious and earned the points for her sorority.

“I was so relieved, after the game went into three overtimes,” said Abels. “CJ was such a great competitor.”

Agar, who came in second and also gained points for his fraternity had nothing but love for his competitor. “I am glad I lost to such a fine competitor.”

Overall the “Minute to Win It” has passed its initiation, and is something that Southeastern can look forward to enjoy for a few years to come.

“I have enjoyed it. It is a lot of fun,” said Holloway. “I was nervous since this was the first time we have tried it but it is definitely something to continue and worthy of being a new tradition.”