ELON, N.C. – Over 138 of Elon student-athletes and 30 youth from the Burlington area took over the Elon campus and participated in the fourth annual Phoenix Field Day on Saturday, May 7. The annual event, hosted by the Elon Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), was planned carefully for several months by senior football player and SAAC President Khirey Walker.

“This Phoenix Field Day was the best one yet,” said Walker. “The participation by the student-athletes was very memorable. Everyone wanted to be there and had a look of high energy and excitement all day long. The kids feed off of us so everyone had an amazing time. The smiles on their faces were worth all the hard work over the past few months.”

The day started with a giant game of Duck, Duck, Goose.

The kids then broke into small groups and went on a personal campus tour by the counselors that included stops such as McMichael Science Building, Belk Library, Koury Business Center and Moseley. Some lucky groups even got to eat breakfast at the Colonnades Dining Hall. As the groups reconvened at Hunt-Tucker Field everyone prepared for some wild and crazy games.

First up was the Dizzy Racket Race with eight teams. The goal was to spin around the racket 10 times (building up to 20 time with each turn) and then run around a cone and back. Roger Dugas (men’s basketball) provided the most entertainment as he spun around 20 times and promptly fell to the ground. 

Next was the dress-up, dress-down relay, in which the teams raced against each other to get team members in a football practice jersey, basketball shorts and football helmet to run 10 feet and back, dress down and then have the next team member dress up and to do the same. The kids had no trouble getting the outfits on, but several counselors struggled to get a smaller sized helmet on their heads, particularly seven-foot basketball player Daniel Watts, football’s Ned Cuthbertson and cheerleader Kelsey Norkett.

An obstacle course consisting of hitting bags (backed by football players), running ladders and pop-up bags was set up for all participants. The kids and counselors alike had to compete the obstacle course while wearing a football helmet. Volleyball’s Lizzie West provided the group a big laugh as she tackled the pop-up bag without any fear or hesitation. However, the pop-up bag proved to be the winner between the two.

In the midst of the obstacle course, water balloons came flying around the field. The original purpose, which was a simple water balloon toss, turned into a game of “strike the person closest to you.” Frida Jansaker (women’s tennis) sported the biggest battle wound, while Ali Deatsch of the volleyball team seemed to be the final resting place for every random balloon that was haphazardly sent in the air.

Once all the water balloons had been destroyed, everyone made their way over to East Field to see the Elon softball team take on Southern Conference opponent UNC Greensboro in a doubleheader. In between games, the kids collected autographs from the softball team on their Phoenix Field Day t-shirts. Everyone then escaped the heat by eating “snoballs” from The Sneauxball Effect, who offered 36 different flavors, including a special Phoenix flavor.

“The snoballs were by far the best part of the day because they were delicious and something new to Phoenix Field Day this year,” commented Walker. “I hope that part becomes a tradition for this event.”

While everyone devoured their snoballs, an intense battle broke out on the inflatable bungee game. Watts and Jack Isenbarger competed to see who could run the furthest before being pulled back by the bungee cord belted around their waists. Isenbarger’s youth proved to be costly when he realized he had his distance marker in the wrong hand and therefore was not able to defeat Watts.

“Field day is by far one of the most rewarding events I’ve been a part of,” said Watts, SAAC Vice President. “It’s a great day for the kids and an equally fun day for the counselors (as seen through my performance on the bungee run). Phoenix Field Day has provided me with memories that I will take with me through the rest of my life.”