The Maverick Pool Party returned Tuesday at Spring Lake Park, continuing a tradition that has become a signature of Minnesota State’s Welcome Week.
Organized by the Student Events Team, the event will feature a live DJ, lawn games, and prizes. Free buses will run every 30 minutes from the CSU to the park to transport students.
According to event organizer Daria Oelkers, the pool party has served as a kickoff for the academic year for more than a decade.
“It’s a nice little kickoff, a way students can relax in a pool,” she said. “It’s the welcome week. First week of classes. Here we go, guys.”
This year, Oelkers had planned to expand the volleyball tournament, but adjustments had to be made.
“I had one big thing about making the volleyball tournament a little bit bigger, but unfortunately, due to Spring Lake Park contacting us, we weren’t able to do it this year,” she explained. “So this year we’re just going to be a really, really relaxing one. You just swim, we’ll have cornhole there, and a couple of frats should be coming.”
A live DJ will lead the entertainment.
“It’s up to them,” Oelkers said. “They just play hits. I think they just find a playlist — songs that give off a vibe.”
Oelkers explained that the event remains a valuable way for students to connect as the semester begins.
“They shouldn’t miss it because it’s going to be hot out and it’s gonna be relaxing,” she said. “It’s just a good way to connect with friends, make new ones, and connect with some fraternities and sororities if you’re interested.”
For students who have never attended, she noted the event’s welcoming atmosphere.
“It’s a really fun event, even though it’s more relaxing than other events we’ve done,” Oelkers said. “It’s a nice way you can get active with your friends, create new connections — especially at the beginning of the school year.”
In past years, features such as a foam party have been popular. “Last year we had the foam there, but again, we can’t have it this year,” Oelkers recalled. “But that was another fun aspect. Just seeing everyone having fun, making new friends, playing cornhole, jamming out to music.”
As an organizer, Oelkers enjoys the flexibility the event offers.
“We can do so many different things with the pool party. Obviously, keep the actual pool aspect, but if you don’t want to do volleyball, you can do another game or a ring toss,” she said. “It’s the variety you can do with a pool that brings out that nostalgic feeling at times.”
Oelkers hopes students leave the pool party with positive experiences. “It’s good, it’s fun. They met a lot of friends,” she said.
She also invited students to get involved with planning future campus events.
“Please come to this event. It’s a really good opportunity to make new classmates, friends, and connect,” Oelkers said. “If you’re interested in helping us plan different events, you can visit our table there to join the Student Events Team as well.”
Photo Caption: Students enjoyed a variety of fun pool-time activities, including a water zipline. (Logan Schlosser/The Reporter)
Write to sara.hurtado@mnsu.edu
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