Students gathered at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center Friday, Feb. 25, from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. for a night of games and social interaction. This is the first year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that the center was able to host this event.

It was clear that students were excited for Late Night at the Rec to be back. The gym was filled with students playing basketball, spikeball, t-shirt archery and cornhole. While most people were on the main level, some competed in fitness challenges upstairs for the chance to win big prizes. Other prizes, such as coupons and SRWC gear, were offered in the multi-purpose room for anyone who spun the prize wheel.

Group fitness classes also took place during this event. Khalea Bergman, a first-year sophomore nursing major, instructed 10-minute High Intensity Interval Training and Zumba classes for attendees. She normally instructs these on Tuesday and Thursday nights, but thought it would be fun to have classes with blacklights for this event.

“It’s really awesome to see everyone get to come together and actually do some fun stuff,” Bergman said. “I love working at the Rec because it’s allowed me to get to know a lot more people on campus.”

At 10:30 p.m., students assembled in the gym for one big game of dodgeball. Liz Duvall, a junior communications major, participated in the intense game and joined for a second round that pitted grade levels against each other.

“I kicked butt in dodgeball,” Duvall said. “It’s fantastic, they didn’t have Late Night at the Rec last year, so I finally got the chance to come to one.”

The night closed out with a game of giant volleyball. Divita Gadtaula, a freshman international student from Nepal majoring in nursing, had fun playing this with her friends and the Rec employees.

“I came here last semester, and it was equally fun,” Gadtaula said. “I hope they do this next year also.”

Although everyone enjoyed being together, many students are irritated that they still have to wear masks, especially while engaging in physical activity.

“It’s definitely restricted,” said Aiden Sothers, a sophomore welding major and SRWC employee. “If I didn’t have to wear a mask, I would’ve liked it a lot more.”

Everyone looks forward to the end of the pandemic so that peers can have even more fun on campus together. Until then, students hope that the university will continue to allow them to participate in enjoyable events like this one.

Edited by: Ellie Walker, Justin Shepard