Splash Makes Big Annual Ripples
Amid the revelry, a hot dog stand catches fire; no one’s hurt
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In the video above, Rhett checks out all things Splash, especially what’s in those tote bags. Photo below provided by Mindy Stroh
They came for the food and stayed for the stuff.
An estimated 3,500 freshmen descended on Nickerson Field yesterday to check out more than 200 BU clubs and organizations. The brave ones tried their luck and skill at pedestal jousting, bungee jumping, and Robo surfing (riding an inflatable surfboard like a mechanical bull). Everyone walked away with bags of swag: candy, pens, key chains, Frisbees, Boston guidebooks, even copies of the Declaration of Independence.
Jake Kallarackal (CAS’13) figured that as long as he had to be up early for Matriculation, he should check out Splash. “I’m glad I did,” he says. “I signed up for some dance clubs and a slam poetry club.” He also scored some free posters, a T-shirt, and a stainless steel coffee mug (use it instead of yet another paper cup, and save 25 cents every time you buy a drink at participating stores on campus).
Anish Kanoria (CAS’13) had to work harder for his ROTC backpack. “They made me do 50 pushups for this,” he says.
The Ultimate Frisbee Club snagged some new members, including Caitlin Dicicco (CGS’11), who played for the first time this afternoon. “I can’t wait to play again,” she says.
There was a surprise that caused the crowd to scatter for a short while: one of many stands serving hot dogs caught on fire. Joshua Vogel (SPH’11) was doing the serving when, he says, a propane tank ignited. “All of a sudden I looked up and whoosh, there were these huge flames,” he says. “I kind of yelled and ran away.”
The Boston Fire Department arrived within minutes and doused the flames. “I’ve never seen anything like this in the nine years I’ve worked at Splash,” says Mindy Stroh, director of the Student Activities Office.
There were no injuries, and so by Splash’s end many departed with not just new club memberships, full bags, and full bellies, but a good tale to share.
Vicky Waltz can be reached at vwaltz@bu.edu. Alan Wong can be reached at alanwong@bu.edu.
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