Students have a ball with on-campus field day

Troy’s Student Unity and Services Council (SUSC) partnered with the Black Student Union and 101 E.L.I.T.E Men to hold a field day last Wednesday. The event was set up on the band practice field with kickball, tug-of-war, a raffle and an ice cream truck. 

“It’s a way to get people out of their dorms and get out of that spring semester slump,” said Taniya Traylor, a senior social work major from Anniston, Alabama, who founded SUSC and serves as the organization’s president. “What better way to get people outside and have fun than a kickball game and tug-of-war?  

“You can just be yourself.” 

The event started with a kickball game. Students could go up and join any team as they arrived, or they had the opportunity to stand back and cheer on their friends. Traylor passed out ice cream and raffle tickets to those sitting on the sides. 

Then, about halfway through the evening, the tug-of-war competition started. Students freely chose the team they wanted to be on until there was an even number on both sides. The event was over in seconds, as the side closest to the parking lot easily overtook the rope. 

Later in the evening, the raffle winners were pulled. Students won coupons for local downtown eateries, such as Momma Goldberg’s and Echo Nutrition.  

Students enjoyed the evening for many reasons.  

“I highly encourage everyone to come out to these events,” said Eric Morris Jr., a freshman elementary education major from Millbrook, Alabama. “It gives people something to do instead of staying in your dorm all the time.  

“It’s a good way to communicate with other people that you might not know and have fun.” 

“It gives you the opportunity to meet new people from different organizations,” said Sadie Allenn, a junior social science major from Troy, Alabama. “Everybody is coming together.” 

The Student Unity and Services Council aims to bring organizations together to collaborate on events. The organization does this by offering collaborative workshops and placing an emphasis on networking.  

“You can be a freshman and not really know anyone, but there are members of SUSC that are presidents of other organizations or on committees,” Traylor said. “It can be a way to bring people together.” 

To keep up with SUSC and learn when meetings are, follow @troy_susc on Instagram.