On Sunday, Feb. 5, sororities, fraternities, off-campus houses and dorms hosted Super Bowl parties to watch the Giants beat the Patriots 21-17.
“[The Super Bowl] is so ingrained in you, you can’t miss it. It’s almost like a religion,” said senior Maggie Ball. “It’s a traditional thing for America.”
Junior Tommy Lundberg said that he was “kind of” rooting for the Patriots because of his Michigan loyalties. Tom Brady played as quarterback for Michigan in the early 2000s.
“I’m also a huge Packer fan so I kind of lost interest after they were out,” Lundberg said. He and his Sigma Chi fraternities brothers spent the afternoon playing football on the empty lot next to the Paul House before watching the game.
“I plan on rooting for the team who wins,” said sophomore Rachel Hofer and Kappa bowl attendee. “But actually, I’m just rooting for Kappa.”
Many students only attend Super Bowl parties for the social aspect. Large events like the Kappa Bowl bring together many social groups, from track athletes to ex-Niedfeldters to football players.
“I wish it was more a game for people to watch but it totally is a social event,” said sophomore Abby Shultz. “It was more like, ‘Oh hey, you’re here! let’s talk.’”
“I just like seeing the people,” said sophomore Emily Flynn.
Kappa’s Current Events Chair — sophomore Katie Frates — had filled the tables in the dining with three-inch subs from Oakley Riverside Deli; cheese cubes, vegetables and dip from Market House; and chicken wings from Domino’s. Despite her and the sorority’s best effort to accommodate their guests, food and seating ran out quickly.
“We almost never have enough chairs to accommodate everyone,” Frates said.
On the other side of campus, Pi Beta Phi also hosted a campus-wide open house while Chi Omega hosted a sisterhood event.
For some students, Super Bowl Sunday is no different than any other Sunday — filled with church, Saga, Inc. brunch, homework or ball room dance club.
“I just happened to be here,” sophomore Nick Allen said of the Galloway party while he ate chips and drank pop from the event, of course.
Others, though, actively work against Super Bowl celebrations. A half-dozen students gathered in the Old Student Union to play scrabble for their “Not-a-Super-Bowl-Party” on Sunday evening.
“I don’t like [the Super Bowl]. I think it’s pointless,” said freshman Addison Stumpf, ringleader of the event.
“[The Giants and the Patriots] both deserve to lose,” freshman James Inwood said
