PLYMOUTH-This past weekend, students partook in the usual Spring Fling festivities. These included drinking beers, playing beruit, and enjoying the warm weather to come. While enthralled in the numerous Spring Fling events, did you ever wonder what Spring Flingers were doing thirty years ago?
Could you imagine that thirty years ago, there was not a designated Spring Fling weekend? As sad as this is, it’s true. Plymouth State University’s P.E. Center Coordinator, Peter Cofran was a part of the student body during this era.
Cofran informed me that there was “no sanctioned spring fling events”. Students would gather their inner-tubes, tie their beer to the floats (so it would stay cold in the water), go down to Livermore falls and “tube”.
When alumni had their reunion in the eighties, it was broadcast by Channel 4 because there were between 600 and 700 tubers in the river. After this, the tubing event died out. It became a concern due to the litter and safety issues, such as hypothermia and the possibility of drowning.
Students would also take part in Lambda Chi and Kappa Delta Phi’s all night softball game, where all proceeds would go to charity.
During the seventies there were keg parties being held in the lower level of Hall hall. This was allowed by the school because it was a fundraiser and because the drinking age was only 18.
It wasn’t until about 6 six years ago that the school began to recognize Spring Fling and organize student involved events such as the rock climbing wall, carnival-style concession stands, concerts, and airbrush tattooing.
“Stuff is far, far tamer now,” states Cofran. Whereas thirty years ago the school did not plan or schedule any events for spring fling weekend leaving students to make their own fun.
“They’re spending $20-25,000 on spring fling events now,” says Cofran. “I get disappointed when we get weather like we did Saturday.” But the turnout was good; everyone came down at 9:30 for Jurassic 5, leaving the weekend to be far from disappointing.
Even with Spring Fling as tame as it is now, it is assumed that there will be drinking and debauchery afoot. Cofran figures “that’s just the culture of a college student.” No matter the era or the events planned, students will have fun.