YaVonda Smalls n Chief Reporter
With dancing, free food, bowling, rock climbing and foam pit parties, Ball State University’s Late Nite keeps students coming back — in record numbers.
“Late Nite is starting to be a staple on campus,” Talia Proffitt, graduate assistant with the University Program Board, said. “People are starting to expect something on Saturday nights.”
Saturday’s Late Nite, the second of the year, drew about 1,713 people, the majority of whom were students, Proffitt said. Last year’s second Late Nite drew only about 800, she said.
“[Saturday] was a huge night for us,” she said.
The first Late Nite of the school year, held on Aug. 20., drew about 2,500 people, the largest attendance at any Late Nite event, with the exception of the annual carnival held at the end of the school year, Proffitt said.
Late Nite initially received a small portion of a Lilly Endowment grant for a trial period made up of several programs during the 2001-02 semesters. The Lilly Endowment gave Ball State the grant, and the university decided to put money into the Late Nite program. Because of the success of the events, more money was distributed to the program each year.
Since the Lilly Endowment grant ran out at the end of last semester, the university has fully funded the program this year, Late Nite director Sara Shelton said.
Saturday’s Late Nite provided students with free hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages as well as laser tag, Dance Dance Revolution, jousting and human-sized hamster spheres, in addition to the free bowling, rock climbing and foam pit party.
The events were similar to those held Friday during Ball State’s 14th annual Quad Bash, which featured a live classic rock cover band.
“The Longest Yard,” starring Adam Sandler, was shown on a giant screen outdoors, and representatives from Comcast and mtvU gave away prizes as student organizations passed out free hot dogs and lemonade.
Proffitt said the Quad Bash drew about 1,150 people, which is an average number.
She hopes attendance at the rest of UPB’s Late Nite events will reach an average of 1,500 this year, compared with last year’s average of 800 to 1,000 attendees, she said.
“I hope that the numbers stay where they are at — that we can provide safe entertainment for more students than we’ve ever provided before,” Shelton said.
Late Nite strives to provide a variety of events that keep students engaged and allow them to feel connected to their university, Proffitt said.
“It’s a great time for people that can come in and have a free night and have stuff to do,” she said.
“There’s always something different going on — it’s events that you wouldn’t really have if it weren’t for Late Nite,” she said.
Senior Chris Dykhuisen, who has attended Late Nite since his sophomore year, said the program is a plus for all college students.
“It encourages programming other than partying,” he said. “It’s also free, which is an excellent aspect for any college student, and the variety of programs they have throughout the year also helps.
“It’s become kind of a tradition at Ball State — it’s growing.”
Ball State’s next Late Nite, “Late Nite Lite,” will take place Sept. 10. “Viva Ball State Late Nite,” the popular Late Nite Casino, will take place on Sept. 17.
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