Aggies hit the jackpot at Casino Night
The TSC transformed into a Western on Feb. 7 as partygoers dressed in cowboy hats and flannels and gambled for raffle tickets to win big prizes during this year’s Casino Night.
The sold-out event hosted a myriad of activities, including karaoke, mechanical bull-riding, bandana decorating, swing dancing, silent disco, an old-western photobooth, bingo and the casino itself.
USUSA student events activities director Josie Packer said the event was a hit. A steady line of people waited for Chester’s Chicken all night, and the gambling tables never emptied.
“We sold out, which has never happened for Casino Night,” Packer said. “We had probably 600 more people than last year.”
Madilyn Dahle, second-year student studying pre-nursing, was among those in attendance.
“I think it’s a great way to socialize and get around and have a fun night out without classes,” Dahle said.
People ate chicken and decorated bandanas on the first floor of the TSC during Casino. Night on Feb 7th.
Texas hold ‘em, Craps, Roulette and Blackjack were some of the games in the George Nelson Fieldhouse. Attendees could gamble their initial chips to win and afford more raffle tickets for the drawing at the end of the night.
“We wanted a big casino,” Packer said. “We probably did 10 or 15 more tables than last year. We hired professional dealers as well, which helped things run a lot more smoothly than in the past.”
Attendees who won more than a 2,000 chip value had the opportunity to go to the High Roller room and bet high stakes. Everyone could cash in their chips for up to 40 raffle tickets. The drawing hosted a unique variety of prizes, ranging from Amazon and Ticketmaster gift cards to an iPad and a large-screen TV.
The Activities Committee was in charge of deciding what prizes to purchase and how to appeal the drawing to a wide variety of people. According to Packer, the committee worked tirelessly to organize, decorate and run the event.
“They don’t get paid. It’s just completely volunteer,” Packer said. “No one even knows that it’s just students planning it. It was not possible without them.”
Partygoers danced in the TSC Ballroom during Casino Night on Feb. 7th.
Josie Davidson, first-year student studying plant science, is a member of the committee. Committee members were in charge of designated areas to decorate and oversee for the night.
“It’s my first one, but I absolutely loved every minute,” Davidson said. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it. It’s paid off.”
Davidson became a part of the committee after attending the Aggie Blue Leadership Conference in August of last year. After hearing about the opportunity, she applied, interviewed and became a member.
“There are four different committees under student events,” Davidson said. “There’s traditions, series, Blue Crew and activities. I’m on activities, and we do the Howl, Casino Night and the End of Year Bash.”
USU Public Safety Officer Shane Nebeker attended the event with critical incident and crisis response K-9 Sage along with around 15 other officers.
“Most of it is just to make sure that things are safe and that we’re having a good time and doing it in a safe way, and then we’ve got Sage here tonight to kind of spread a little bit of goodwill and happiness as well,” Nebeker said. “She’s probably had contact with a couple 100 people tonight.”
Casino Night went from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., with students filing in all throughout the night and taking their chances with gambling.