It may not be the Stanley Cup, but local teams will still be giving their all for the Spirit Cup.
All this week, teams of Registered Student Organizations, academic departments, and groups of students will compete for the Brown and Gold Spirit Award as part of Homecoming.
“Homecoming is an opportunity to put your spirit on 100,000 percent, to get everyone excited,” Kristopher Banks, Homecoming co-director, said. “We want to keep people up and pumped with what’s going on.”
Approximately 30 RSOs and student teams have registered for the games this year.
The teams receive points towards the Spirit Cup by participating in the Canned Food Sculpture Contest on Monday, Yell Like Hell on Thursday, Western Games and Soapbox Derby on Friday and Flag Run on Saturday, and receive points for placing first, second or third in each game.
Teams also receive five points for nominating members to the Homecoming Court, receiving an additional ten points if their nominees are confirmed to the Court. Teams that compete in each game and nominate members to the Court receive an extra 25 points.
The first, second and third place winners in the overall Spirit Cup receive respective prizes of $300, $200, and $100 along with trophies, including the Spirit Cup itself.
Non-RSO teams of departments, student groups, or RSOs that team up don’t accumulate points toward the Spirit Cup, but receive gift certificates of equal value if they place in the top three.
The winners will be announced during halftime at Saturday’s football game against the University at Buffalo.
According to Jackie Luedtke, Homecoming co-director, the competition and events help form strong bonds between team members.
“Having been a part of a RSO in homecoming, it’s a great way to build group spirit,” Luedtke said. “It’s like traveling with a group: you get to know them better than just sitting together at meetings every month.”
Despite the amount of events and competition, Banks and Luedtke would like to see more spectators at the events.
“A lot of students don’t realize they can go to the games,” Luedtke said. “Just because you’re not participating doesn’t mean you can’t come out and cheer. Go to Yell Like Hell, yell your head off.”
Even with all the competition, Luedtke stresses the importance of having fun.
“It’s more than just the Spirit Cup,” Luedtke said. “We want to make sure it’s fun and exciting for everyone.”
