Conway Hall was deemed the 2024 Battle of the Halls champion after a close competition in a series of relay games Aug. 20 during Welcome Week.
After several days of activities, freshmen residence halls competed in a variety of outdoor games, ranging from an egg toss to a potato sack race, to win the title of 2024 Battle of the Halls champion.
The participating dorms included Farris Hall, Baridon Hall, State Hall, Arkansas and Bear halls, Carmichael Hall, Conway Hall, Hughes Hall and Bernard Hall.
The night began with a firework display from the baseball field.
Garth Clayborn, assistant director of First Year Experience, said, “These are just really silly games for fun. It’s a competition, but it’s not too deep. It’s really just to have fun and to get people to interact with one another.”
Clayborn said Battle of the Halls is important to build relationships within the freshmen class.
“We’re hoping that they are able to form some connections with people that are living in their dorms and that will start to build a camaraderie amongst them,” Clayborn said.
Ellie Jones, a freshman majoring in criminology, said her favorite part of the event was the “spirit” being shown by her peers.
Jones is an international student from England and found her Welcome Week experience to be unique compared to universities in her home country.
“Everyone’s just so enthusiastic. It’s another level,” Jones said. “It’s so different. Back home we love football and everything, but the energy and the teams are crazy.”
Sam Schimmel, a freshman journalism major, said his favorite part of Battle of the Halls was the “excitement” and fun energy.
“It’s fun to meet people, be excited with people and have a good time, win or lose,” Schimmel said.
Nick Cacciatori, a freshman exercise science major, said his favorite part of the event was the potato sack race and meeting new people.
“Everyone was falling. It was really funny,” Cacciatori said. “Tonight I met a lot of people because commuters are coming in as well for our dorm. I’ve met a lot of them and they’re really cool.”
Cacciatori was dressed in a Ketchup costume to match his team colors.
Garth Clayborn expanded on his favorite parts of the event as an organizer.
“I think just seeing the students letting loose and having so much fun. It is one of the events we do every year and it’s probably the most high-energy event that we do that has the highest attendance,” Clayborn said.
Several freshmen who attended Battle of the Halls shared what they enjoyed about Welcome Week.
Alaska Farmer, a freshman majoring in environmental science, said, “I’ve made some really good friends in the past two days. I got to meet a lot of people yesterday and we’ve built such a good bond already. It has only been less than 24 hours.”
Farmer said she made new connections with freshmen and SOS staff at casino night as well.
Emily Davis, a freshman majoring in political science and international relations said, “Football games. I want to see people, show some spirit — more than high school.”
