It’s the time of the year Knights have been waiting (and some even training) for 鈥撯�� Spirit Splash. On Friday afternoon thousands will rush into the Reflecting Pond for a chance to snag a rubber duck. Radio-television grad Sonali Prabhu ’19 and senior event management major Ashley Aken, from the , share their insight for a successful run.
Spirit Splash has been recognized as the best university tradition in the state by the National Association for Campus Activities and was featured in . It started in 1995 when the SGA president was pushed into the pond by some students at a pep rally at the fountain. The rest of the student body followed and a couple of years later, the tradition earned the name 鈥淪pirit Splash鈥� and has been going strong ever since.
Now for the tips:
1: Wear a bathing suit or other comfortable clothes that you don鈥檛 mind getting wet. As for shoes, stay away from flip flops because they鈥檒l slow you down or fall off.
2: It can get crowded in the pond, so be safe and cautious of your surroundings.
3: Wear sunscreen. Even though it鈥檚 October, the Florida sun is still hot and you鈥檒l regret it if you don鈥檛 lather up.
4: The best photo opportunity is with a giant inflatable duck.
5: At the event, you can expect a DJ, the 麻豆原创 spirit team, Knightro in his best swim suit, the 麻豆原创 Marching Knights and the football and basketball teams.
6: Students have been known to start gathering for the countdown by 6 a.m. It鈥檚 important to stay properly hydrated while you wait for the rush.
7: If you plan to wear sunglasses, pick a pair that you won鈥檛 mind if they fall off or Croakies that connect to the glasses and help keep them attached to your head.
8: Only bring things that can get wet. It鈥檚 advised to leave bags at home.
9: Pay it forward. If you catch more than one duck, share it with a fellow Knight.
If you鈥檙e an alumnus who is nostalgic for your Spirit Splash days, or you can鈥檛 make it to the big event this year, 麻豆原创 will provide a beginning at noon. The actual splash is scheduled for 1 p.m.
For more information on Spirit Splash and Homecoming events, visit check out our Homecoming 2019 guide. For more The Campus Knights content, and follow on Instagram @ucf.edu.
