Students grapple for prizes at GAA Homecoming event

More than 500 wrapped boxes stuffed with various prizes and UNC gear filled the Pit on Friday.

For several hours, cheers from bystanders encouraged students to be aggressive and rip apart the boxes, one of which included a laptop.

Students had only 15 seconds to race to open a box, remove the prize and cross the finish line, or else their prizes would be forfeited.

Some participants resorted to stomping on the boxes to get them open.

The General Alumni Association, which used money built into its budget to purchase the prizes, ran the event.

Sophomore Justin Sodoma, who helped organize the event, said it aimed to hype students for the Homecoming football game.

“Students were supposed to beat on the boxes like UNC was going to beat William & Mary on Saturday,” he said.

Some students were happy, even if the prizes they got were small. Molly Guiley won a temporary tattoo but wasn’t disappointed, because she said it was just for fun.

Not all of the participants were so accepting of their prizes.

“People are very ungrateful,” said Brennan Fox, another event organizer. “We were wrapping up the presents every single night for hours.

“When people get pencils they are unhappy. Not everyone can win in life.”

Junior Brittany Teague won a “UNC Only” parking sign for her wall.

“I’m a little disappointed, but I’m glad I opened the box in time.”

Some weren’t so lucky.

“My shoes just didn’t have enough tread to open the box. It just got smushed,” Nastassja Ortiz said. “There was too much pressure.”

Sodoma said he was pleased with the way the event turned out.

“It gets everyone in the Homecoming spirit, but is also a way to give back to the students,” he said.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.