Aaron Johnson – General Assignment Reporter
NEW HAVEN – The “American Idol” style line of Southern Connecticut State University students stretched from the doors of the ballroom in the Michael J. Adanti Student Center as students hoped to get a seat for the SCSU Bingo Night.
“This is my first time here,” said junior Bria Moore. “I was in line last year for 30 minutes and still didn’t get in so this year I’m just excited to play.”
Unfortunately, some students suffered the same fate that Moore dealt with a year before as doors closed after the room had been filled. The prizes for the students who were able to get into the event ranged from $50 gift cards to Target to an iPad Mini.
“I want the mountain bike – I plan on bringing it back home and riding it around my town,” said sophomore Canisha Dawson, sociology major from Bristol, Conn.
The atmosphere was lighthearted and fun for all students as the SCSU homecoming was underway with this event. The assistant director of student life Eric LaCharity said that he is happy to see that the event is back after a short hiatus.
“We had to stop bingo night due to state regulations but after a we figured out a way we could do it we were able to bring it back,” said LaCharity. “We were excepting a lot of students to turn out because students love it.”
LaCharity said that the prizes were purchased through the funds in the homecoming account and that the money from the night goes back into the student activities budget for more events for the student body. The first prize of the night was a movie lover’s package won by Marissa Fasoli.
“It’s pretty cool,” said Fasoli. “I never won anything. The movies seem really cool and I’ve never seen any of these movies before.”
The night was full of fun and even a little bit of tension after two straight “bingo-offs” to determine the winner of a 22-inch television and a $50 gift card to Target and Buffalo Wild Wings, respectively. Moore, a resident of West Hartford, Conn., said she was excited for the night and the rest of the homecoming festivities.
“It’s exciting to have school spirit so high. It’s stuff like the bingo night we like to do and its engaging and enjoyable,” said Moore.
On the night, 15 total prizes were given away including a 32-inch television, a Blu-Ray player, and Beats by Dre headphones. Tracy Rousseau, sophomore public health major from Norwalk, Conn., said she found out about the event from a friend and that her main goal for the night was to turn her dollar into something more.
“I heard about the bingo night through a friend and it seemed like it was going to be fun,” said Rousseau. “I want something greater than a dollar for a dollar. I plan on going on a shopping spree if I win one of the gift cards.”
Junior Dee Deloz said that she had an enjoyable time as well but she wanted to end the night with a prize.
“It’s pretty packed here tonight,” said Deloz. “But I want to win so badly, either one of the TV’s or an X-box.”
