The Saint

Story by Brynn Reams, Guest Writer

On the night of Thursday, October 26, 2023, Aquinas College held its annual “Saints Slam” event. The event takes place in the late hours of the evening, similar to “midnight madness.” Saints Slam is a loud, active, participant-engaged event that is meant to bring the student body together.  With basketball season right around the corner, the event is also for students and staff to be able to meet the teams in hopes of getting fans excited to come out and watch the games. 

Saints Slam has been around since 2016, but this is only the second year it has been hosted since its return after COVID-19. Some students say this is the night they look forward to every year. One student said, “Coming together to one event is what makes this so much fun, everyone is here and has a good time.”  Saints Slam 2023 was very loud, upbeat, and extremely eventful. Each year different events take place, but there are always a few traditional events that make an appearance every year. A few events that are always included are the three-point contest, the relay race, and musical chairs. This year they brought back the dunk contest, which they haven’t had in a few years. In between these activities items like gift baskets, gift cards, or even Aquinas merchandise were given away to fans in the crowd.

Before the main event kicked off there was a pre-party outside of Sturrus that began at 8 P.M.  This year, they handed out tickets to the first 300 students at the tailgate that they could redeem for a free t-shirt when they entered Saints Slam.  The pre-party also had music, cornhole and free pizza for fans to enjoy. 

Every year there is a theme for Saints Slam, based on the event’s proximity to Halloween this year, it was costume-themed. While not all students took part in the theme, there were a lot more people with costumes on than there were people who were not dressed up. There was a costume competition this year. The three finalists were Spiderman, a nun, and Mr. Clean. Mr. Clean ended up winning the contest however the crowd was pretty loud for the Nun, but it all came down to the judges. 

The three-point competition was very loud. Everyone was cheering, the shooters were very close and this had everyone on the seat of their pants. It came down to Jacob Howard from the men’s team, and Ashlyn Wilks from the women’s basketball teams. Before the competition began Wilks was asked how she was feeling, she said “I’m nervous, but also ready to go.” To win you had to make a shot at all five spots on the floor and make it all the way around and then back around before the other team did. Howard was ahead and leading pretty much the whole time, however, he got caught at the top spot and this led Wilks to catch up. By the end, both teams were moving together and making shots. This came down to the last spot, the corner. As some would say this is the toughest spot to shoot on the floor. Wilks from the Women’s team ended up pulling away and making the last shot first. The crowd stormed and celebrated this win with her. 

Photo captured by Matthew Yeoman