HAVING FUN: Friday, August 21
A Maverick Tradition: March Through The Arch
FRIDAY AT A GLANCE
FULL EVENT DETAILS ARE LISTED BELOW. Times, locations, and events may change. For updates or weather-related changes, check here or the Mav Life app.
• Otto Rec Center Opens
SEE FULL LISTING BELOW
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.: Maverick Shop Hours, CSU Main Level
Get your Maverick gear or buy new, used, rent, or digital textbooks at your campus bookstore.
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.: Maverick Esports and Gaming Open Play, Wissink Hall 121
Interested in gaming? Play League of Legends, Call of Duty, Rocket League, SMASH, and more! Join Maverick Esports varsity players and other campus gamers for an open play event and meet & greet at the impressive Esports Training Facility in Wissink Hall 121.
11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.: Open Rec, Otto Rec Center
Discover all your fitness options! Groove your body for 10 minutes 3 times a day!
11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.: New Student Rally, Blakeslee Stadium
The official kick-off to your life as a Maverick, this is the event to be at on Friday. It will feature a high-energy performance by the Maverick Machine and a welcome from University President Edward Inch, student leaders, and other notable guests. To conclude the rally, attendees will process as a group and formally “enter” campus as you march through the Alumni Arch near the Bell Tower. The Backyard Bash will follow the event.
Immediately following New Student Rally: March through the Arch, Alumni Arch
Passing through the Alumni Arch is a tradition that marks your arrival and your forever status as a Maverick. Join the Maverick Machine marching band as Stomper leads the procession from the New Student Rally to the Arch.* (*Transferred from the historic Old Main Annex on the former lower campus, the Arch is a symbol of the University’s history and a pathway for entering the campus as a new student and leaving as an alum).
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.: Backyard Bash, Bell Tower Courtyard
Join us for a giant cookout, yard games, t-shirt giveaway and live music by Fat City All Stars, one of southern Minnesota's hottest cover bands! Mingle with returning and new students alike, as well as university staff. This is the on-campus meal plan lunch option for Friday. BRING YOUR MavCARD. Sponsored by Fraternity and Sorority Life and the CSU Serendipity Music Series.
Noon to Midnight: FREE! Maverick Bullpen, Lower Level of the CSU
Enjoy bowling, billiards, video games and much more in the Maverick Bullpen! Bowling lanes and billiards tables will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. Twins vs. Chicago White Sox viewing at 6:40 p.m.
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Pick-A-Duck, Memorial Library
Play the Library's Pick-A-Duck game and pick up your tickets for Choose-a-Palooza at the Library's main entrance.
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Choose-a-Palooza, campus-wide, concludes in Otto Rec Center Gym
You choose where to visit and which prizes you want to win! Earn prize drawing tickets by visiting different campus offices. There are $1000 worth of great prizes, including room amenities, movies, games, and more! Bring your signed tickets to the prize station in the Otto Rec Center Gym by 3:30 p.m. for the prize drawing. You will find goodies, more prizes, and giveaways at each stop. Pick up your Choose-a-Palooza map at the front desk of your on-campus residence community or at the Campus Hub. Don't miss your chance at great prizes! Sponsored by Residential Life.
3:00 to 3:30 p.m.: Choose-a-Palooza Prize Giveaway, Otto Rec Gym
Return to the Otto Recreation Center for the prize giveaway portion of this great event!
3:30* p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Prize Flight, (*Immediately following Choose-a-Palooza prize giveaways), Otto Rec Center Gym
Be one of the first 350 new students to stop by the CSU Office (CSU 220) during Choose-a-Palooza, 1:00–3:00 p.m., and receive a free balsa wood airplane. Assemble your plane, put your name on it, and immediately after Choose-a-palooza launch your plane from Otto Rec's upper-level track toward Maverick bullseyes on the gym floor. Closest to the targets win.
To participate:
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- Must be a new student
- Must be present to win
- Bring your MavCARD to claim your prize
Sponsored by the Centennial Student Union and partners.
4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: LGBT Cool Treats & Baked Sweets!, LGBT Center (CSU 194)
Come in for a cool treat and meet the staff of the LGBT Center! Discover our programs and learn how to get involved and connected with the LGBTQ+ community on campus! Everyone is welcome! Sponsored by the LGBT Center.
4:00 p.m.: Fraternity & Sorority Life Info Session, CSU Heritage Lounge (Main Level Lounge located above the CSU fireplace)
Fraternities and sororities at Minnesota State Mankato are about real friendships, real leadership, and real impact. Come to a student-led session and see what Fraternity & Sorority Life is actually like. No pressure, no commitment—just the chance to explore a vibrant part of campus life that’s been going strong for over 60 years.. www.maverickfsl.com
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.: Sexy Trivia Night with Gender & Sexuality Programs!, CSU Ballroom South & Center
Bring a team or get matched up when you arrive! GASP is proud to host pub-style trivia focused on healthy relationships, consent, and safer sex. Win prizes, enjoy snacks, and test your knowledge – while learning along the way!
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.: Indoor Climbing Wall, SE corner of Myers Field House
Join us at our indoor climbing facility and spend the evening reaching new heights! All you need is your MavCARD, and we will provide all the necessary equipment for you to climb. Staff will be there to provide instruction for climbers new to the sport. Please wear comfortable clothing.
8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Starlite Serendipity Karaoke, Amphitheater (between CSU & Library; rain site is the Flex Programming Space on the CSU Lower Level next to Chick-fil-A )
Come join your weekly karaoke host, Della, as CSU Serendipity Karaoke offers singing under the stars! Join us for weekly Thursday night Serendipity Karaoke in the Bullpen TV Lounge starting August 27 at 7:30 p.m.
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.: Swing Dance, CSU North Ballroom
Grab your dancing shoes and drop your inhibitions as you learn some new moves. Feel free to come with a partner or on your own. Lessons will be provided! Sponsored by the Swing Dance Club.
9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.: Star Gazing, Standeford Observatory
Let your imagination soar as you ponder the mysteries of the universe. Check out our state-of-the-art telescopes and get a close-up look at our galaxy and beyond. Meet at the flag in front of the Centennial Student Union south entrance to be shuttled to the observatory. A shuttle will run continuously until 10:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Astronomy Department and Campus Recreation.
9:30 p.m.: Stomper's Cinema: Bee Movie, CSU Ostrander Auditorium
The Disney classic gets a wild new look! Stomper’s Cinema is presented by the Student Events Team and movies are FREE with MavCARD. Concession combos start at $1.00! More show times are available at www.mnsu.edu/studenteventsteam.
10:00 p.m. to Midnight: Free Open Ice Skating, All Seasons Arena (1251 Monks Ave-2 blocks east of campus at the intersection of Monks Ave and Balcerzak Drive)
Come on over to ASA for some fun on the ice. Skates will be provided (bring your own, if you have them). Please bring your own socks.
