Students show school spirit during Fall Fest

Trisha O’Connell
Staff Writer

The faculty and student led teams tied during last week’s Fall Fest Viking Cup challenge.
Despite gloomy weather and heavy showers, students were able to experience the Fall Festival and Viking Cup Challenge at Joe Bruno stadium last Thursday, Oct. 5.

The faculty vs. student softball game was extremely competitive, with both students and faculty athletically matched. The faculty showed up ready to win, as they were the reigning champions.
The event began with a rendition of the national anthem, followed by the announcer introducing everyone to the stands, which were just beginning to fill up. With the faculty clad in white and the students dressed in Hudson Valley green, the game was ready to begin.

Even though this was a competition, the vibe was lighthearted and almost everyone was smiling and laughing throughout the game.

Of course, knowing college students, the free food may have been the biggest draw.
There was barbecue chicken, macaroni and cheese, potato salad and every cookie you could ever want. Water was provided as well, and the buffet was replenished throughout the game to provide fresh food for everyone.

As the hours went on, more students heard about the free food, so naturally the stands quickly filled up.

Along with the food and the game, other forms of entertainment were provided. There were two artists drawing caricatures for students. Who knew that so many Hudson Valley students like to skateboard?

The crowd was lively throughout the entire event. People were also drawn to the weather, which actually felt like a crisp, fall afternoon instead of the 80 degree weather we’ve been getting. The air was cool, the sky was clear and the atmosphere was filled with school spirit.

Some students were there for the free food, while others came to casually watch the game and support the school. Some students were heckling and cheering on the players, and each team had dedicated fans who were ready and willing to point out mistakes and good plays. The passion felt similar to a major league baseball game.

The entire event ran from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and everything was free of charge, including admission, the food and even the caricature drawings. Similar events are also held throughout the year. If you happened to miss the Fall Festival or Viking Cup Challenge, a calendar of upcoming school events can be found on the official Hudson Valley website.