About 2,000 students stay ‘Up All Night’ at the Student Activity Center

The Student Activity Center had more than a few extra visitors over the weekend.

Hubbard Lake junior Nick Stepaniak was among about 2,000 people that flooded the SAC Saturday night to Sunday morning.

They were not there to work out — but to enjoy food, music, entertainment and activities during the second annual “Up All Night,” an event sponsored by The Office of Student Life.

“It’s like a senior all-night party on crack,” Stepaniak said, as he and hundreds of others waited to get in.

With a budget of about $30,000, Damon Brown, the coordinator of student activites, led the student committee who were planning the event since November.

“We were trying to find a non-alcoholic activity for students to participate in,” Brown said. “I think there’s a trend where students are drinking a lot, and we’d like to offer a healthy alternative even if it’s only for one night.”

The Rose Center had a video game room with a NASCAR simulation, glow-in-the-dark mini golf and a lot of food.

Holly senior Lindsay Cronin coordinated the food and was delighted with the resulted.

“We had 250 pizzas from Jet’s, 81 feet of subs from Subway, 1,000 boneless chicken wings from Buffalo Wild Wings and 20 party orders of chips and salsa and a mix of quesadillas with cheese sticks from Benningan’s,” Cronin said. “We also had 120 gallons of fruit punch from Classic Fare Catering, 11 cases of Monster, and 30 boxes of Red Bull shots.”

Students munched while listening to live music from the Central Harmony a cappella group and alternative music from Troy junior Joe Hertler.

The SAC’s main level offered novelties such as dog tags and photo flip books. Glow Bowling, Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero also were available.

Downstairs, tubers relaxed under the glow of “New Moon,” which played on a large screen in the pool room.

Dodgeball, poker and large inflatable games characterized the rest of the lower level.

Another popular attraction was the Laser Tag tents, which had lines that lasted up to an hour and a half.

“They should do it more often,” said Port Huron junior Amber Berish.