Alumni Olympics Links
Students and Alumni

Science field was a blaze with activity. A hula-hoop toss, belly sliding, and mattress races were some of the favorite events that sparked student and alumni participation.

These wacky events were part of the Alumni Olympics, which took place during Spring Fever Weekend in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This quirky annual event created an opportunity for students to reminisce with their alumni friends and gave alumni the chance to stay connected with their alma mater. Who could imagine a bubble gum blowing contest and a tug-of-war over a pit of Jell-O as successful ways to keep students and alumni linked!

Sponsored by the Lion Diplomats or Student Alumni Association, Olympic events were played by teams consisting of six to 10 members of combinations of current students, faculty and alumni. In the spring 1990 Diplomat newsletter, Lion Diplomat Lynn Mattioli ’91 said, "The purpose of this event is to involve students and alumni in an afternoon of zany sporting events."

Prizes were awarded to the top three most talented teams. The Lion Diplomats also provided free t-shirts to all participating alumni. According to Mattioli, the organization’s goal was to improve the quality of the momentous occasion each year, and to enhance the spirit of the environment for all participants.

In the 1987 Cue, students said that winning the events was least important. Spending time with graduated friends was the most enjoyable aspect of the Olympics.

The Alumni Olympics took place for five years. However, in 1991, the event was replaced by "Oozeball," a vigorous game of volleyball played in a ditch of mud. No clothing is ever left clean after a good game of Oozeball!

And although the Alumni Olympics are long gone, the Lion Diplomats continue to organize and assist all alumni functions, hoping to attract more alumni attention each year.

– Jennifer M. Hawriluk ’01