By Gloria Falach
TAMPA, Fla. — The First-Year Studies (FYS) program had its first of four signature events as students went to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning play on Friday, Sept. 26.
These signature events are open for all first-year students to enjoy. The program’s goal is to make all first-year students, whether they are freshmen or transfer students, feel comfortable and more connected to the school.
This is the fourth year the program has partnered with the Tampa Bay Lightning. This event is always the largest turnout of the year. Last year, they had about 900 students attend, and this year they had around 650 students attend the game, said Martini Gibbons, coordinator of First Year Community Engagement.
“We want students to feel more connected to Tampa and know what Tampa is all about,” said Gibbons. “A big thing about Tampa is all of the sports teams we are near. We have to bleed blue for hockey.”
Gibbons said, based on data from first-year students coming to the University of Tampa this semester, most students wanted to do outdoor and sports-related activities. He made sure to plan fun games and create experiences for students to enjoy during the game.
“I have never been to a hockey game,” said Lambrini Andrianis, a freshman. “Since we are in Tampa, I wanted to experience something different since I’m from New York.”
Before the game, the UTampa dance team, The Spartan Scarlets, performed with the Bolts dance team, The Bolts Blue Crew. Sparty was also hanging out with Thunderbug and made sure students were hyped during the game. Students also had access to the penalty box, radio booth, Tesla coils, and got to ride the Chick-fil-a Zamboni during halftime.
During the game, bubble soccer was played on the ice. First-year staff and peer mentors went head-to-head. This game reflected their love for the Tampa Bay Lightning and FYS.
Peer mentors and First-Year Studies faculty were also at the game and spent the month encouraging their students to go to the game and get involved with the school and Tampa.
Marissa Rounds, a junior peer mentor, went to the game when she was a first-year student and has gone every year after becoming a peer mentor.
“The Lightning game allows students to meet other people by going in groups,” said Rounds. “People in my classes go together even though they might not know each other outside of class. It is a really cool way to get them involved in their community and meet new people.”
Students can find all FYS events on InvolveUT. First-year students have their own Involve page that they can only access during their first year.
“It is like a secret group where you can have all those perks and early access to different events during your first year,” said Gibbons, the coordinator of First Year Community Engagement. “I hope it helps the first-year students feel special that they get access only to them.”
FYS will host the next event on Friday, Oct. 24. FYS will be taking over the Tampa Theatre to watch The Phantom of the Opera. Students will get a free drink and free popcorn while the movie is playing.
First-year students can get their tickets on Involve starting on Wednesday, Oct. 1.
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Photo courtesy of Lexi Smith.