Traditional female residence hall champions Cross/Tharp display their Dorm Wars 2018 trophy
The winning male residence hall team poses with other Medlin Hall residents and Vice President for Student Development Mike Hayes, center, during Dorm Wars 2018
Upperclassmen female residence hall champions Storms/Brinsfield pose with their Dorm Wars 2018 trophy
More than 1,500 students, faculty, staff, and community guests packed out Walker Arena to watch as students competed for the coveted title of Dorm Wars champions. Cross/Tharp Hall, Storms Hall/Brinsfield Row, and Medlin Hall walked away from the event as the victors in this year’s competition.
Residence halls competed in three different divisions, a change from just two in years past. The teams were divided into traditional female dorms, upperclassmen female dorms, and male dorms.
“I think the addition of the upperclassmen female division really helped us get into the competition because we actually had a chance to win something,” said Olivia Webb, a senior English major who competed on the winning Storms/Brinsfield team. “In past years, going up against hundreds of freshmen seemed impossible, but with the playing field leveled all the upperclassmen female dorms showed up full-force.”
A total of $2,250 was raised through Dorm Wars this year. The funds will be divided and distributed to the service organizations supported by the first- and second-place winners. Cross/Tharp competed for Project Free 2 Fly, Storms/Brinsfield supported Second Life Chattanooga, and Medlin battled for the Boys & Girls Club of the Ocoee Region. Runners-up Sharp-Davis Hall, New Hughes Hall, and Bowdle-O’Bannon Hall represented Habitat for Humanity, Foundation House Ministries, and ANDOR: Passage to Manhood, respectively.
“We’re extremely grateful for the support of many of our area businesses in caring for our service organizations by giving to Dorm Wars,” said Alex Staup, resident director of Carroll Court and Spring Creek. “We can’t wait to see the fruit of that support in the community.”
The evening kicked off with choreographed dances from each residence hall. The routines were judged and awarded spirit points. Points are also awarded for original cheers and good sportsmanship.
Before competing in the traditional shopping cart and obstacle course relays, residence halls participated in this year’s mystery event, a complex relay race involving potato sacks, bean bags, pool noodles, beach balls, skis, and Lee Centennial-branded puzzle pieces. Freshman psychology major Sarah Grace Johnson won the mystery event with the rest of her Cross/Tharp team.
“It forced us to rely and count on our team members, both those competing alongside us and those cheering us on in the stands,” said Ms. Johnson. “We eventually pulled ahead and brought home a win!”
The evening concluded with the crowd-favorite faculty race.
“We chalk up this year’s Dorm Wars festivities as a glowing success,” said Mr. Staup. “We believe this event is one of the best held on campus, and we already look forward to next year and the opportunity to continue to improve our efforts. Our hope is that the camaraderie and service emphasis of Dorm Wars will leave our students with a meaningful and lasting experience for years to come.”
To view all or part of the event, visit https://livestream.com/leeu/events/8396317.