Mud, eggs, ice water and basketball can only mean one thing at Ouachita; it’s game time. Tiger Traks, the Ouachita Student Foundation’s (OSF) annually hosted event, begins this Friday, April 12.
The two day event will not only consist of sweat and cheers but also smarts.
“Traks features something for everyone,” said Mary Castleman, senior mass communications major. “The game center includes pictionary, charades, humming and spelling challenges, while Tiger Trek tests your knowledge of OBU trivia, Mega Relay involves a lot of team work, and the mud games are just crazy, muddy fun.”
While teams can get a head start in the competition during the Friday night quiz rounds, Saturday is the day students depend on. Events such as the mega-relay, raft races, mud volleyball and the mud tug-of-war seem to be the biggest hit each year.
“You don’t have to be an athlete to win Traks, you just have to have fun and get dirty,” said Brandi Hull, senior psychology major from Longview, Texas, and four-year competitor. “Every year my team goes into the competition to have the most fun we can. We like to be competitive, but we don’t train for the weekend.”
Competition is the name of the game during Traks, but students at Ouachita cheer on opposing teams.
“I have competed every year and it truly is the highlight of my spring semester because of the attitude going in to the competition and the event itself,” said Hull. “All the teams are composed of our friends in one way or another, and while our main goal is to win, we still aim to be courteous and encouraging to our friends and classmates.”
Traks participants are encouraged to be competitive and excited during the event, but for those not interested in competition, there is another way to participate. Friends of competitors are encouraged to come out to the fields and support the teams.
Students competing are required to submit an application and a $15 fee which is given back to students in the form of scholarships. The OSF motto of “Students Helping Students” is accomplished through events such as Tiger Traks and Tiger Tunes.
“Students should participate because not only is it the biggest university event of the spring semester, but it also promotes scholarships provided by OSF,” said Hull. “Since Traks helps us as students in the long run, I don’t mind giving $15 to play.”
At the end of the competition, $100 is rewarded to each member on the first place team, $75 is rewarded to each member on the second place team and $50 is rewarded to each individual on the third place team. There are plenty of other categories the teams can also win such as most sportsmanlike, most team spirit and most creative costumes.
Traks would not be able to happen if it were not for the hard work and dedication of many individuals.
Mary Castleman and Lindsey Fowler serve as co-chairs of OSF’s special events committee and have coordinated the majority of Tiger Traks. They have had the help of Tim Harrell, staff coordinator for the special events committee of OSF.
“Traks is unique to Ouachita. It’s like the much cooler, college version of a field day,” said Castleman. It gives students a chance to get creative, make great memories with their friends and take a break from the academic stress of the end of the year. But the biggest reason is that all proceeds from Traks will go toward student scholarships ― so you’re helping your fellow students while getting covered in mud. How many people can say that?”
