Abram Hall, Rilee Hall and their father William Hall of Hammond (above) wait to receive snow-cones in Friendship Circle from DSA Leadership Ambassador Jacob Smith, a sophomore majoring in biology. Hall is an alumni who graduated in 2002 and enjoys bringing his family back to Southeastern for football games. The Lion’s Roar / Maria Goddard
Families of students paid a visit to campus for spirited activities and events on the annual Family Day that took place Saturday, Sept. 6 before and during the Lion’s football game.
Students checked in with their families in the Student Union West Lounge at 3 p.m. to sign in and receive “goodie bags,” complete with an itinerary, T-shirts, pens and pencils provided by the Student Government Association and the Division for Student Affairs.
“The main goal of Family Day is two-fold: to welcome new students and their extended families into the Lion family and to give families a chance to share in the experiences that their students are having,” said Steven Gallagher, assistant director for Student Engagement.
Families enjoyed a meal courtesy of The Mane Dish.
“It was great. The service was friendly, the food was fresh, tasty, hot and had a good variety,” said Tracy Peer of Baton Rouge, wife of Scott Peer and mother of Max and Addie Peer. The family ate together at The Mane Dish to show their support for the Southeastern football team.
Tracy, Max, Addie and Scott Peer of Baton Rouge enjoy a meal at
The Mane Dish for the tailgate picnic on Saturday before the
football game against the Southern Utah University Thunderbirds.
Families of students were invited for Family Day by the Division for
Student Affairs, who wanted to provide a way for families to celebrate
in the festivities with the students, faculty, alumni and community.
The Lion's Roar/Maria Goddard
Family Day has been celebrated for five years. This year, 46 families were scheduled to attend Family Day 2014.
“Family Day is a completely student-planned and operated event. Our DSA Ambassadors plan and operate each Family Day and serve to help guide them through the process each year,” said Gallagher.
Students hope that upon leaving the festivities their families had a chance to experience Southeastern for themselves.
“I hope through visiting Southeastern, families will not only enjoy their own company, but also take part in the wonderful community that is Southeastern,” said Jacob Smith, who is a DSA leadership ambassador, president of the Pi Kappa Alpha colony and a sophomore majoring in biology.
For the tailgating festivities, the Campus Activities Board donated the equipment for families to enjoy popcorn and snowballs.
“I hope families come to the realization of how much Southeastern strives to put an emphasis on family and tradition. We want families to realize how great of a university Southeastern is and how Southeastern blends with the city of Hammond,” said Steven Hontiveros, DSA leadership ambassador and senior accounting major.
Families also shared meals for the tailgate picnic in The Mane Dish.
Next, they proceeded to Friendship Circle to spend time together at the tailgating party before the Lions fought against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Tailgating included music from a live band, food and additional surrounding activities.
“It’s amazing. This event has grown a lot since it first started. I think football is a tradition in the South and once you get this atmosphere here, it just grows,” said William Hall, an alumni who graduated in 2002. “An event like this can not only bring together your fraternities and sororities, but the community and families as a whole together.”
Before the game, students, families and community members who bought tickets to storm the stadium participated in the “Storm 30” rush. The “Storm 30” was an event put on by the Athletics department in which a crowd of fans rushed inside the stadium 30 minutes before kickoff.
Family Day was a success with good food, music and a family-friendly environment for the younger fans that were able to Lion Up as the football team won another victory.