There’s one week a year where everything you’ve ever known is put into question. We’ve scheduled our trips, the field is set, and it’s time for the granddaddy of them all, and I’m not talking about the Rose Bowl. To the collegiate culture we call ourselves a part of what's simply known as “spring break." College without the class, on the beach in beautiful weather, with not only people from your school but schools throughout the nation. Sounds like a dream, right? Well somehow it’s not. The game is different, from Panama City, to Fort Lauderdale, to South Padre. It’s finally time to put on your bibs because it is most certainly going to get messy.
I’ve had my fun, but I honestly don’t think there is another time in my life that even remotely compares to the two spring breaks I've been on. From the atrocities that occurred in Panama City Beach to a sun poisoned trip to the Bahamas that left me with second degree burns, I honestly don’t regret a thing. It’s a week of your life that deserves to be put on a pedestal. It's a trip for you to deny ever having gone on to your future children. I honestly have goose bumps thinking that the week of March 16th is finally upon us. My heart is beating like a phone book in a dryer right now.
However, this is just the beginning for us Purduvians as this year, spring break has fallen on the week of March Madness and by the grace of god, we could actually make the tournament. Now not only will we be on the beach, in 75 degree weather, making fairly questionable decisions; we will have the very real potential to talk justified smack about sports. This kind of spring break is beyond the scope of once a year at this point. It’s once in a lifetime.
Think about watching Octeus posterizing a defender to advance us into the Sweet 16 while you’re within 100 feet of the ocean with a beer in your hand. Tight? Tight. Don’t take it just from me though. The honorable sophomore Sigma Chi, Forrest Schneider, sat down with me to talk about his favorite time of the year. When I asked about his intentions for this spring break Forrest stated, “I’m going to have a lot of fun with all my pals.” The people are excited!
Now that the stage is set, there are a few things that will enhance your experience this SB15. First and most importantly, wear sunscreen. The sun poisoning thing was not a joke, and you can and will end up scarred. Road trip down to your destination with a squad. Some of my best collegiate memories are from the way to and from Florida my freshman and sophomore year. Prepare a slush fund, have everyone pay a certain amount of money ahead of time and no one will get screwed paying for everything. Be spontaneous within reason, put yourself out there to make some memories while also staying out of a police cruiser. Take advantage of southern colleges on the way to and from break, somebody always knows somebody and visiting a school such as Georgia or Alabama is a rare chance. Branch out, break your West Lafayette bubble and meet some people from other schools as they’ll be everywhere. The time has come; let’s do the damn thing.
