New campus-wide coordinators plan for smoother, safer Beer-Bike
If the new campus-wide Beer-Bike coordinators have their way, the March event will include more amenities and fewer unpleasant surprises. The coordinators, Martel College junior Erin Sozanski and Martel senior Nicole Velasquez, were selected this week.
Sozanski said she and Velasquez are considering adding a “Jack Award,” which would be given to the college with the best jack during Willy Week, as well as dunk tanks and a tent with a water mister to help spectators cool off.
“We have a lot of ideas for new things to do during Beer-Bike, especially for entertainment between the races,” Sozanski said.
Sozanski said she wants to reduce the number of injuries sustained during the parade, increase the number of trucks in the parade and shorten water lines at the race.
“We think the coordinators last year did a wonderful job, but there were unexpected issues last year that we would like to try to prevent this year,” Sozanski said.
Last year, the alumni race ended prematurely when Larry Fossi (Will Rice ‘79) had to be taken to a hospital after colliding with Kerry Loughran (Martel ‘04), who was running around the track.
Assistant Director of Student Activities Holly Williams said she, Student Activities Director Heather Masden and Rice Program Council President Stephanie Swingle chose Sozanski and Velasquez based on their leadership experience and enthusiasm for Beer-Bike.
“Erin and Nicole both demonstrated a true passion for Beer-Bike and had spent a lot of time thinking how they could personally contribute to this event,” Williams said.
Velasquez was an O-Week Coordinator this year and a member of the Martel bike team in 2004. She was also on Martel’s chug team the last two years. Sozanski is the chief justice at Martel.
Velasquez said she and Sozanski are looking for concessions, judging, track and Web site coordinators for the event.
“We would also like input from the students on things that they really like from years past or things that could be improved,” Velasquez said.
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