Meaghan Hunt
Staff Writer
Usually Mattioli Rec has basketball tournaments, cycling/yoga sessions and students enjoying the gym machines or walking the track. Two weeks ago, students came out for an exciting event.
On Nov. 21, students filled into Mattioli Rec for Late Night at the Rec from 7 to 11 p.m. The new theme this year was decades, where students could dress up in their favorite decade, or they could dress up for the photo booth.
The ESU Campus Recreation & Wellness held the event to have a fun night and bring together students to take a break from studying. There were a good number of students in attendance, most doing different activities or enjoying a free snack.
At the event there was laser tag, dodgeball, karaoke, access to video games in the Esports room, a 360 photo booth, cornhole, Spikeball, fresh popcorn, cotton candy fresh from a cotton candy machine, snacks and drinks.
“As a commuter student, I always love coming here because I always meet new people and I feel better apart of the university community here,” Vanessa Cormier, senior business student said.
Laser tag had an inflatable arena with two teams, red and green. Once there were two teams of four or five depending on how many were in their group, students had to put on a vest that indicated if they were eliminated by the other team.
Dodgeball was in the new section of the basketball court that is sectioned off by glass. For the game, a student could not join an active game, but there was a recurring line for the game.
The event did not have large overhead lights on. They had big neon lights of green, purple and pink that created a disco feel. They didn’t have many decorations besides some wall stickers that represented the decade’s theme.
The karaoke set, complete with a tv that displayed the lyrics, became popular as the night went on. More people came out to the dance floor right by karaoke to dance which they joined in on the singing and cheering on the performer.
The 360 photo booth had 80s props to wear for the photos like retro glasses, classic stick props and even flashy cowboy hats to wear. At the photo booth, once you get in, you have to take two pictures and then a 15 second video with the 360 camera that spun around participants.
The photobooth also had one of the largest lines at the event.
This event is a perfect opportunity for students to be able to take a mind-break and have fun with friends. As students go into the final closing weeks before winter break, this served as a last hurrah for campus activities.
If you did not get a chance to check out Late Night at the Rec, the ESUREC Instagram page has posted some pictures of that night.
The next Late Night at the Rec will not be until next fall semester.
To check out photos from Late Night go to ESU Rec Instagram page.