This week is Winter Celebrate! at St. Cloud State University and that means that it's time for the annual Husky Spirit Challenge. If you aren't familiar, SCSU rid of the traditional homecoming for a wide variety of reasons, such as low alumni engagement and heavy at-risk drinking, and replaced it with a new series focused on student engagement and campus pride with a week jam-packed with on-campus events and entertainment: Celebrate! Since its induction, SCSU has seen a sharp decrease in at-risk drinking behavior through various initiatives such as on-campus entertainment alternatives and educational programs, which promote responsible drinking behavior, run through UChoose. 2017 marks the 7th year of the Husky Spirit Challenge which last year saw record participation with 30 teams consisting of 15-20 students each. St. Cloud States administration catches a lot of flack for their ridding and replacement of homecoming. What students, in many cases, fail to see is that SCSU has not only created a new tradition, but it's given students the creative avenue to plan the events they want through organizations like UPB. It is in my opinion that traditions are something that are made with feeling, hard-work, and dedication. Tradition isn't about a title, but a since of community.

The Husky Spirit Challenge, run by the University Program Board, provides a unique opportunity for students to engage with the campus and their community. Plus, teams have a shot of winning thousands of dollars in prizes and the ultimate prize of bragging rights! Students can sign up with their friends, classmates, student organization, hall floor, it doesn't matter! While sign-up for this years challenge has already passed, students still have the option to participate by attending the different events to cheer on their fellow huskies and celebrate campus pride.

This years line-up of events is as follows:

Monday, February 6th at 7 pm

The Captain's Meeting is being held in the Cascade room of Atwood Memorial Center.

Tuesday, February 7th at 7 pm

Watch your peers either blow you away or brutally embarrass themselves in this years Lip Sync Battle in Ritsche Auditorium. This is one which is fun to participate in, of course, but way more fun to watch. Every year you are sure to have your fair share of laughs and surprises!

Wednesday, February 8th from 1-4 pm

Participants give back to their community (and earn points while doing it!) at this years Service Project in Atwood Memorial Centers Main Lounge.

Wednesday, February 8th at 7 pm

A combination of Chopped and Fear Factor, teams compete to make the best mocktail given limited ingredients. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. The points you have can be used to sabotage the other teams in hilarious, and occasionally gross, ways.

Thursday, February 9th at 7pm

Human Batlleship makes its return for its 4th year. Teams take to the water in canoes with only one goal: sink or be sunk. Teams compete in the Halenbeck pool to be the last boat floating by using creative tactics to sinks their opponents.

Friday, February 10th at 9 pm

Everyone is able to particpate in Atwood After Dark, the only difference here is that teamsget points and everyone else gets to focus on having a blast and the free food! Atwood After Dark is run by the University Program Board and has become a campus staple. If Atwood is thebeating heart of campus, UPB is the hearts left ventricle (some of you will get that). Atwood After Dark is one of those events that you need to go to, or suffer dearly from #FOMO.

Saturday, February 11th

Sledding with the Huskies will be hosted at Riverside Park (time TBD) and then the finale. This years winner's will be announced at the Men's Hockey game!


Questions? Contact Ali Kline at upbvpexternal@stcloudstate.edu or call 320-308-2205