That’s the spirit
KICKOFF.07 a back-to-school celebration with style
Story by Matthew Fox
Photos by Ewan Nicholson
Twenty-five-year-old Jill Angelstad never figured her first week as a U of C student would include the chance to get face-to-face with Sam Roberts—Canadian rock royalty in her eyes.
"I actually really like Sam Roberts’ music and was excited at the chance to see the band play,” said the transfer student from Red Deer College, who is entering second-year classes in the Faculty of Communication and Culture. “But to meet him was the icing on the cake.” (Read a full interview with Sam Roberts)
Angelstad and five others won a chance to “Hang with Sam” at KICKOFF.07, a back-to-school celebration for the U of C community that launched with a pep rally for the Dinos on Friday, Sept. 7. The festivities continued through Saturday, culminating in a passionate, but ultimately disappointing 27-13 Dinos loss to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies at McMahon Stadium before a crowd of more than 3,400.
““KICKOFF.07 lets us know that there’s a lot more to campus life than just classes,” Angelstad said.
The event, a partnership between the university, the Students’ Union and the Alumni Association, included a rock concert—with Calgary band Hot Little Rocket, led by alumnus Andrew Wedderburn, BA’01, and the Juno-award winning Sam Roberts Band—a giant, carnival-like tailgate barbecue, interactive faculty booths and tuition giveaways.
It’s a time for celebration and a time to re-energize the campus community and welcome back students,” said U of C President Harvey Weingarten.
KICKOFF was a catalyst for cultivating year-round support for all Dinos teams. The approximate 4,000 students who attended events on either day received a red T-shirt that they will be encouraged to wear on Fridays throughout the year to show support for the Dinos.
Game day festivities also included the first-ever Race of the Rexes (featuring 13 faculty interpretations of the Dinos’ mascot and won by “Arts Rex”) and Bling Bling, a Students’ Union cystic fibrosis fundraiser that generated more than $500 in a friendly competition between faculties.
The Alumni Association gave away two prizes of one semester of free tuition during KICKOFF.07. Candace Nguyen, 18, a Houstonian entering her first year in the Faculty of Science won on Friday. Athyna Farkas, also 18, entering her second year in the Faculty of Science, won Saturday’s prize.
“The Alumni Association exists to support future alumni and bring existing alumni back to campus,” said association president Tamara McCarron. “At KICKOFF, we celebrate with students and by enhancing their experience here, encourage them to create a lifelong relationship with the university at an earlier stage.”
To read what Sam Roberts thinks about life, university and music, read a special OnCampus Q&A with him.