Students splash 101 ELITE members

Troy’s 101 ELITE Men held “Splash an E.L.I.T.E. Member” on the Trojan Center patio last Thursday to raise money for development events. This event was a fundraiser for the organization. Students could pay $3, $5 or $7 to soak an ELITE member with a small bucket, cooler or 15-second spray down of water, respectively.  

“We just want it to be fun,” said Isaiah Daniel, a junior sports management major from Calera, Alabama. “We’re paying for each other to get splashed and everything.  

“It’s real cold, the water, but it doesn’t really matter since we’re just trying to have some fun and get some donations.” 

ELITE, which is an acronym for “Educating Leaders Into Tomorrow’s Endeavors,” is a program created to build up college students into successful men in their future. 

“We pretty much take young men and put them in the room and help them elevate themselves for all four years of college,” said 101 ELITE Men President TyShaun Caldwell, who is a sophomore social work major from Pell City, Alabama. “It’s about things like making connections, learning how to do resumes and interviews, learning how to dress in business casual and business professional.”  

The program is more than just setting up future success; it aims to create an empowering environment for the members on their current college journey, as well. 

“It’s very hard to get lost in the crowd as a young male coming to college because you know you have a lot of freedom, you don’t have as many rules or boundaries – you don’t know what to do,” Caldwell said. “So, this program pretty much gives you a roadmap of how to navigate those things and be successful as a young male in college.” 

A couple of the members of 101 ELITE Men said they wish they would have joined sooner. 

“I should’ve joined last year,” said Brian Jones, a senior graphic design and photography major from Selma, Alabama. “I’m a senior, so I’m glad I was able to join in and take part in this program before I graduate. 

“It empowers you and makes you better prepared for the future and whatever it is you’re trying to pursue, and it instills a character in you that might not know is possible.” 

“I really should’ve joined last year, but I got too caught up in other stuff,” Daniel said. “But I made time for this year, and I just want to connect with our brothers and help the school and the organization.” 

While the development of the members is the main focus of the group, holding events like “Splash An E.L.I.T.E Member” on campus benefits the entire community and student body. 

“This stuff is cool because it’s just getting people out of classrooms, dorms or apartments and getting them involved in stuff around campus, so that way there’s stuff happening almost every day, and it isn’t so boring on campus,” Jones said. 

The money raised is going to be put back into the development of the group's future events, like the gala they hold in the spring with international students. 

To learn more about this organization and its future events, visit @101elite on Instagram.