It’s that time of year when Shippensburg University brings students, student-athletes, faculty and staff together for a night of fun competition at Gatorade Fest, a pong tournament and campus-wide fundraiser.
Gatorade Fest is planned and staffed by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Connection AOD Program and Wellness Center, the PAGE Center, the CUB, Student Affairs, Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Connection AOD Program and Wellness Center.
The event emphasizes that college life can be fun and social without the use of alcohol. Half of the proceeds benefit The Harbor, a resource that provides a sober and alcohol-free social space in downtown Shippensburg, as well as community support to those in alcohol and drug recovery. The other half of the proceeds goes to the winning team’s charity of choice.
The tournament is a bracket-style pong competition that includes prizes for winners and runners-up, along with raffles and giveaways such as athletics merch, Legos, and gift cards. The event will also have free food for participants.
At the event, SAAC members are tasked with staffing check-ins, managing brackets, refereeing games and handling the setup and breakdown of the tournament.
Savannah Silvestre, SAAC president, said the following about the tournament: “Gatorade Fest is an electric atmosphere that encourages having fun in a safe environment. I’ve been a participant in the event for the past four years, and it has always been a highlight of my spring semester.” Silvestre also shared that, in addition to being proud to support their selected charity, participants should also feel honored to contribute to The Harbor’s mission to help people lead sober lifestyles. She highlighted The Harbor’s Lighthouse Recovery program, a recovery house and 12-step program that guides those facing alcohol and drug addiction onto a new path forward.
The director of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Commuter Support, Dylan Curtis, also encouraged the campus community to participate in the charity event. “Gatorade Fest is a great opportunity for students and administrators to join together and raise money for charity, while also having a good time competing against one another in pong. The event highlights the ability to have fun in a sober atmosphere, and reinforces that it’s possible to have a good time in a college setting without the consumption of alcohol and other substances.”
For those interested in participating in the event and supporting charity, Gatorade Fest will take place on February 24 at 7 p.m. in the CUB MPR on campus. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per team. Additional information regarding sign-ups is included in the image below.
If you or someone you know struggles with addiction, contact the Connection AOD Program at Shippensburg University and learn about the various recovery and addiction services available to students and the community.
To learn more about The Harbor and their mission to support individuals facing addiction and in need of recovery support, visit their website: https://www.theharborofship.com/copy-of-about
