From shooting half court shots and throwing a football to getting Starbucks samples and taking photo booth pictures, there was a wide variety of things to do throughout 1855 Place.

“Free cotton candy, free merch, stuff like that — meeting some of the players ... it's a little bit of everything,” Spartan Spirit Event volunteer Matt Brown said.

In the past, Brown said, there wasn't an event that emphasized picking up student section shirts or purchasing season tickets.  He said the purpose of Spartan Spirit Event was to get people quickly involved in the sports and sporting events happening on campus.

“It’s here (for) ... that whole spirit of getting people involved in the athletics here at the school,” Brown said.

Spartan Spirit Event took place in the parking lot of 1855 Place throughout the day. Though season ticket holder and business-preference sophomore Clayton Skinner was hoping to win free basketball tickets, he was also hoping to socialize.

"(I'm) having a lot of fun, hoping to meet some people today,” Skinner said.

With Sparticipation taking place at the same time as the event was ending, students got the chance to participate in a full day of activities. To freshman Brennan Long, Spartan Spirit Event felt like a preface to it.

“It’s really fun to see people getting to know each other and get some free stuff. It felt like a 'pre-Sparticipation,'” Long said.  

Now, Spartan Spirit Event is one of the many traditions students are able to look forward to at the beginning of every school year.

“It’s just a really cool event," Brown said. "It’s the first year we're doing it ... and so far people seem to like it."