Spring Fling Festivities are a Long Campus Tradition

Casey Crough
Staff Reporter

It takes a staggering $25,000 to put on Spring Fling, where the students are staggering as well.
On April 25, 2009 the campus will be celebrating Spring Fling, a campus and CAPboard sponsored event of a day of outdoor fun in the Quad.

“Spring Fling is an outdoor festival that signifies the end of the semester, welcoming weather, and the kickoff of summer,” said Amanda Rose, who is the co-advisor with Mitch Alexander of CAPboard.

According to Alexander, Spring Fling was originally organized by Joanne Nixon, and was called “May Day.” At some point, the event changed to April, with the hopes of better weather, commented Alexander.

Then, when Kathy Dawkins entered the college activities scene in 1984, the event was dubbed Spring Fling.
Yet with such a huge event, there are bound to be hits and misses, successes and challenges.
Students of McDaniel College, the mechanical bull is coming back.

“Everyone loves the mechanical bull,” laughed Rose, “the free giveaways are always a success.”
But with every success, a challenge lurks.

“One of our challenges is making sure we have new and different things for students. Of course, there is always the challenge that students believe that Spring Fling equals drinking,” explained Rose.

With this altered interpretation students have on Spring Fling, what is McDaniel’s perspective on student drinking?

“I am not a prohibitionist, but I am very into responsible drinking. Most college students do not know their limits. I see nothing wrong wit have a beer to relax, but people forget why they are there,” explained Alexander.

“Putting on everything we want is a challenge,” continued Alexander, “and taking in mind alcohol, McDaniel somewhat ‘turns a blind eye.”

Even if McDaniel does “turn a blind eye,” students should still be wary and follow the rules.

“Students do get in trouble; it is not a free for all, it is a campus controlled event,” said Rose.

The older students who are the veterans of Spring Fling are prepared, but what about our first year students?
Chris Molly ’10, who will be experiencing his first Spring Fling this year, has these expectations: “a carnival like atmosphere blended with mischief and a shot of 80 Proof happiness.”

Another student, Courtney Zimmerman ’12 has “no idea. I heard there is a dance, laser tag, an outside thing; I’ve heard the weekend is a big drinkfest.”

So students of McDaniel College, get ready for Spring Fling 2009. Let us educate our freshmen friends on the etiquette of this awesome event. Remember to stay hydrated, to enjoy the real reason for the event, grab a closed container, and have a blast!