Spring Weekend Sober Alternatives

When most students think of Spring Weekend, they think of huge off-campus parties and one last chance to drink and party before finals.

But many university organizations are also providing sober alternatives and activities throughout the weekend. This Spring Weekend, students can expect to see some traditional non-alcoholic events, such as Oozeball, and some new additions, such as Southapalooza, a huge carnival with an inflatable obstacle course and food.

University president Michael Hogan said that students should take care of each other, which is one way to stay safe during Spring Weekend. He also noted the on-campus alternative events.

"We can also provide them with options and alternatives that encourage a healthy celebration of Spring," Hogan said in an e-mail. "I think it is critical that the students be involved in identifying these options and putting together these kinds of programs. This is a beautiful time of year in Connecticut and we can and should celebrate it without endangering ourselves and those around us."

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Oozeball, the muddy volleyball tournament that takes place all day Saturday of Spring Weekend.

"It's the largest non-alcoholic UConn event during Spring Weekend," said Ashley Cummings, a 4th-semester horticulture major and co-chair of the event.

To commemorate its anniversary, Cummings said Oozeball has doubled its courts and registration. Last year, there were four courts with 128 teams of six players. This year, there will be eight courts with 256 teams.

Teams had to sign up prior to the event, and all spots are now full. Half the teams were signed up by the first day, according to Cummings. However, there will be bleachers at the event for anyone to watch the tournament. There will also be entertainment from D.J. Doug, a dining services barbeque from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a Dunkin' Donuts stand and drinks supplied by Coca-Cola. The event is sponsored by the Student Alumni Association.

Another active event, the Spring Weekend Dodge Ball Tournament, will be taking place today at 6 p.m. in the Student Recreational Facility. Teams had to sign up by April 21, according to the Spring Weekend Events Web Site.

Many area councils are hosting carnivals and barbeques in honor of Spring Weekend. Alumni, Buckley, Shippee and South Area Councils got together to sponsor Southapalooza on Saturday from 12 to 5 p.m. It will include a barbeque, ice cream, an inflatable obstacle course, American Gladiators-style jousting and other activities on the South Quad. There will also be tents providing information on public safety and performances by four student bands.

"It's been a while since UConn has allowed a big carnival like this on this side of campus," said Steve Genna, an 8th-semester psychology major and president of the South Area Council. "It's going to be a pretty large set of events."

Also from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, there will be West Fest on West Campus and the East Campus Carnival. At Towers, there will be a Dunk your CA and tie-dye in the quad from 1 to 4 p.m. Husky Village will be having a barbeque from 3 to 6 p.m., and the Northwest Area Carnival will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Towers will have a game night in the Towers Game Room from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday.

Some of these area councils are also offering movie nights and other Friday and Saturday activities.

The Area Association of Religious Communities will be holding the AARC Spring Weekend BBQ Thursday and Friday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., or until food runs out. They will provide free hamburgers, hotdogs and water in the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel parking lot, according to the Spring Weekend Events Web site.

The weekly Late Night at the Student Union will include special events from the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Services, the Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP), Dance Works, Material Science Engineers and many others, according to the Spring Weekend Events Web site. It runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Mansfield Community Center will also have a special event for both UConn students and E.O. Smith High School students Saturday from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. It will include ping pong tournaments, knockout, a pie-eating contest and snacks, according to the Spring Weekend Events Web site.

There is also a performance by the comedian Jim David tonight in the Student Union Theatre and the traditional Spring Weekend Concert on Saturday night, featuring T-Pain and Flo Rida with special guests Method Man and Redman.

Contact Freesia Singngam at

Freesia.Singngam@UConn.edu.