Food court, intramural field grand openings offer free food, prizes for students

The back-to-school fun continued this week, as Lipscomb’s dining services partner Sodexo and the departments of campus life and campus recreation offered two opportunities to celebrate Lipscomb University’s continually changing and growing campus.

 

 

 

Monday, Aug. 29, was a great time to check out the revamped food court as the various restaurants offered free samples, free stuff, special giveaways for students including a Kindle and an iPad 2 and fun activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its grand opening celebration. Music and balloons added to the party atmosphere in the food court, which has new tiling and aesthetics for the 2011-12 school year.

 

"Trends change from year to year, especially with students, so it's good to change things up from time to time," said Roy Platt, general manager of Lipscomb dining services. "We've also introduced new meal plans for students, so we wanted to do an event that would tie everything together."

 

The grand opening featured free samples from food court newcomers Far East Fusion and Pappa John’s and other sample-size treats were given away by veteran restaurants Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Blue Coast Burrito and Common Grounds in the Ezell Center.

 

"There's nothing hotter on campus right now than Pappa John's. Sushi is flying off the shelves. We have recieved nothing but good comments," Platt said of the new offerings.

 

At 12:30 p.m. Lipscomb faculty and administrators Scott McDowell, Sam Smith, Jeff Wilson, Danny Taylor and Leanne Smith competed in a pizza dough tossing contest with Papa John’s pizza dough. Audience applause declared Smith the winner. Papa John’s brings a new option to the campus community this semester: full-size large pizzas.

 

The Chick-fil-A cow and other food mascots were on hand while students signed up at the Sodexo booth for a chance to win a Kindle or an iPad 2. Students also recieved free giveaways of keychains, ball caps, volleyballs, T-shirts, tumblers and mini-footballs throughout the grand opening.

 

Finally, several vendors who supply the food court were on campus on Monday providing free samples and new products to students.

 

 

On Saturday, Aug. 27, the departments of campus life and campus recreation held a kickball tournament and dedication of the new lighted intramural field located off of Granny White Pike.

 

Students were encouraged to sign up for the all-day intramural kickball tournament, and 27 teams competed all day for a free meal at Outback Steakhouse or equivalent restaurant of choice.

 

The tournament was capped off with an all-star game against a faculty/staff kickball team and a dedication and lighting ceremony.

Oakley Christian, DLHS alumnus and owner of C.O. Christian and Sons, flipped the switch on the new lights, providing additional hours of outdoor enjoyment for Lipscomb students.