Oct. 5 marked not only the 80th birthday of the University of Tampa, but also its beloved mascot, Spartacus. The day was celebrated at the men’s soccer game as they took on their biggest rival, Florida Southern College.
“It was the perfect day for it,” said Kelsea Roccapriore, an athletic marketing staff member. “Most people didn’t even know it was UT’s 80th birthday, so when we sang happy birthday to the school on the track, it felt good to bring fans to the game to support athletics and the school.”
For weeks in advance, members of SOS (Spirit of Sparta) planned in preparation for Pepin Stadium’s big party.
It was decorated with banners and balloons while there were fan participation games and a hot rivalry soon to ensue out on the soccer field.
Despite the rain and wind, fans still enjoyed all of the birthday events that took place that night. Before the game, smiling students posed with a gregarious Spartacus giving a big birthday thumbs up. They were spun around with eyes closed and then staggered as they tried to “pin the feather on the Spartan” and made colorful banners to support the team.
At the game, Amy McClellan, a UT freshman from Boulder, Colo., commented on the school spirit effort. “It’s great to have events like where the students can get together and just have fun. So many of the people I talk to complain that there’s nothing to do on campus… They should do things like this more often.”
During the game, people in the bleachers let loose as they messily tried to stuff as many red velvet cupcakes with gold and chocolate frosting into their mouths in a cupcake eating contest.
Fans blew up balloons, built foam pizzas and threw foam swords as they competed in a relay race for prizes. “Everyone went home a winner,” said Roccapriore.
Freshman Haylie Moeller from Illinois said, “I didn’t even know that this was going on until my roommates made me come, but now I’m glad [I went]. It’s nice to feel like I’m a part of the school besides going to class and frat parties.”
And no birthday party would be complete without goody bags with stickers and college necessities such as pizza hut coupons.
Fans dressed in their best UT-themed clothes hoping they would go home with the title of “best UT birthday suit.” For the kicker, the men’s soccer team went home victorious and joyous, best birthday wish that could have come true. Roccapriore stated, “The hope is that not only SOS, but other organizations at school get involved in athletics.”
Brittany Moulden can be reached at brittany.moulden@spartans.ut.edu.