The Bronc Boardwalk and nostalgic fun in Cavalla Room

By Madison Lewis  

EVEN without flocks of seagulls, wooden walkways and 90-degree heat, the Student Government Association, Relay for Life and Club Sports Council transported students to a summer day at the shore.

The Bronc Boardwalk was a three-hour event in the Cavalla Room that had quintessential boardwalk-themed games and food.

Once an event-goer signed in, the festivities began. The students were faced with the difficult decision of where to start.

Some opted to play competitive boardwalk-style games, and some went directly to the food and beverage stations.

The students looking for a contest could choose from mini golf, skeeball, basketball, “4 in a Row” and a speed game called “Strike Light.”

A gaggle of students congregated around a game, Strike Light, as two players on opposite sides of a table had to press buttons that lit up in front of them. Inevitably, competition got heated and the sounds of aggressive smacking rang across the room.

Every game at the event was surrounded by a crowd of eager players, patiently waiting for their turn to impress onlookers.

The food stations were no different. There was a root beer float stand that had a consistent flow of people choosing between vanilla and chocolate soft serve to accompany their fizzy beverage.

Next to the root beer station was self-serve popcorn in a nostalgic cart that one may recognize from their childhood boardwalk. There were other stables, like funnel cake, lemonade and iced tea. Out of left field was a tray full of cheesesteak egg rolls, but they were a hit nonetheless.

Joe Giambelluca, a senior English major, attended the event and commended the staff and coordinators for their efforts in setting up the games and food. 

He had only one humorous critique: “I felt myself being transported more so to a carnival. Not as much [as] a boardwalk. … there is a lack of wooden features,” he said, barely containing his laughter.

Giambelluca took note of the root beer floats and enjoyed sipping on the refreshing treat while partaking in golf, basketball and other games.

“I was thinking to myself, ‘If I was not going to this event, what am I doing with my life,’” he said.

When recalling his favorite aspect of the night, Giambelluca liked seeing the community and witnessing the smiles on their faces.

Before the students entered the first floor of the Bart Luedeke Center, they had to check in on a survey. The digital sign-in entered the potentially-lucky into a raffle to be called on Monday.

Relay for Life tabled at the check-in point, before students entered the Cavalla Room doors. The organization was selling Luminaria bags, with the $5 donations going toward the American Cancer Society. Luminaria bags are tangible memorials for those who have passed.

The organization also contributed gifts to the giveaway on Monday. 

Junior game design major and sports council member Isaiah Ward said the Connect Four along with the food and the assorted drinks made the event like “a long beach boardwalk.”

He said his job that night was to help the event run smoothly. His favorite portion of The Bronc Boardwalk was the dance circle.

Toward the end of the night, the DJ played recognizable songs like the Macarena, the Cupid Shuffle and other line dances. Event goers ran to the center of the room to follow along to the directions outlined in the music. They formed a pod, quickly getting into the rhythm and moving in time with one another.

He said, “I have never really been to a boardwalk but I’d like to imagine it’s somewhat like this.”