Sponsored by the Student Government Association(SGA), the Patriot Fraternity Council (PFC) hosted a Super Bowl party in the Smith University Center (UC) on Feb. 11.
The event brought the student body together to celebrate and watch the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers face off in Super Bowl LVIII, or 58, and provide exposure for the SGA and PFC.
“PFC teamed up with SGA to promote awareness of three of our great Greek chapters here at FMU (TKE, PIKE, and KA), while providing a fun venue for students to enjoy the Super Bowl,” Andy Matthews, student life specialist and advisor for the PFC, said. “It was an awesome way for our campus community to meet members of both PFC as well as SGA and get to know them outside of the classroom.”
Present at the event were 40 pizzas and coolers of water and soda continuously replenished throughout the big game.
“It took a lot of work, but it was worth every effort,” Devan Campbell, junior history major and president of the SGA, said. “Personally, I was really excited when we first had this idea. Last year, we did something similar but without PFC to back it. This year, with PFC helping out, it was not only bigger, but it ran a lot smoother as well.”
One of the more exciting elements of this event was that it was one of the first student-organized events held in the newly renovated UC. This fact also played a part in the decision to make this event happen in the first place.
“Last year, a Super Bowl party was held in the community center and it could barely hold this many people,” Campbell said. “I knew right from the start that I wanted future Super Bowl parties to be held in a larger venue. When Andy came up to me with the idea that PFC wanted to host it in the UC, I did not hesitate to say yes.”
The plan to invite PFC to help host the event was also seemingly a no-brainer.
“We’ve been looking to hold something big like this all year,” Andrew Ackerman, senior biology and pre-med double major and president of PFC, said. “All three groups wanted to do something individually for the Super Bowl, so I thought why not do something together?”
Students filled the UC, with reportedly 100 people attending, and audience retention was held right up until the final seconds of the game. At the game’s conclusion, the UC erupted in a collection of cheers and boos.
“The only thing I dislike from the event was the ending,” Campbell said. “I’ve been a fan of the 49ers my whole life, and seeing them come this far and not taking it home was definitely upsetting. Regardless, I am so happy to see so many people come out of their dorms and get the chance to socialize and watch one of the best sports in America. It was truly a great night.”
Moving forward, the PFC plans to continue this new tradition and make it something for students to enjoy every year. Keep an eye out during the next Super Bowl for information on future parties like this.
“I know SGA will continue to be the primary host for this event in the future,” Matthews said. “ I know that members of the PFC really enjoyed the engagement, and I can’t speak for the men of PFC, but I’m sure they would like another opportunity to co-host this successful event as well.”