By Xavier Henderson 

Students packed out the opposing seats at Palmer Hall as Purple and Gold side kicked off the 107 annual College Night. The evening of Jan. 29 was intense, starting off with an electricSuper Smash Bros competition, where Purple Side claimed the first win of the year over Gold Side, followed by a high-energy sign raising and pep rally.  

Although College Night spans over a century of great leaders and events, this year’s leaders and players say they are focused on carving their own path through inclusion, strategy and new approaches to leadership. 

For the E-Sports competitors, this event was not just another game, but an opportunity to make their mark on a consecrated tradition. Cameron Corbitt, the captain for Purple Side, said that preparation began at the beginning of the semester, with practices twice a week.  

His unique style of play, along with his leadership and dedication, led Purple Side to a hot start at the beginning of the match, which his teammates kept until the end. “You don’t usually see a Mario player up there,” Corbitt said. “Mario is more of a get-in-and-brawl character… I’ve played him for a long time, and I just felt like he was the right pick.” 

Despite the loss, Gold Side’s captain Calvin Lindsey said that the focus this year was on bringing out the best in his team, which showed. Preparing for the match included regular practices and careful roster decisions, but Lindsey emphasized supporting his team above all.  

“Without them, I don’t have a team,” he said. “Just supporting them and making sure they play as well as they can.” Lindsey also encouraged his team to bring out their own strengths and creativity to the match, combining strategy with personal initiative. 

While the matches showcased individual skill, the Purple and Gold Side leaders worked behind the scenes to set the tone for the entire side, balancing tradition with their own vision for the year. 

Purple Side leaders, D’mar Tarront-Milton and Audrey Paige Robinson, said their preparation for the night began many weeks before the event, which included coordinating logistics, overseeing the cabinet, and making sure everyone knew their roles. Their goals during their leader term focused on inclusion and building a sense of community within their side.  

“This year, we really focused on recruitment and making sure people are included,” Milton said. Robinson added, “We just want to make sure everyone feels included and supported, whether that’s simply helping someone or being a listening ear.”  

By expanding their cabinet to 98 dedicated members and emphasizing outreach, Milton and Robinson said they wanted to make this year unique by making sure that everyone could participate, feel valued, and contribute to their side’s success. 

For Gold Side’s leaders, Madison Smith and Julianna Holmes, their approach to College Night was guided by three key principles: consistency, cohesiveness, and collaboration, or as they like to call it “The three Cs.”  

This included working on long-term strategies, encouraging less confident members to break out their shell by step into leadership roles, and supporting their cabinet to achieve ambitious goals in their own creative ways.  

“We wanted consistency, cohesiveness, and collaboration across all aspects of Gold Side,” Smith said. Holmes added, “It was about gunning for things people thought we couldn’t do and giving our team the support to accomplish them.”  

By combining guidance, encouragement, and willingness to take on new challenges, Smith and Holmes emphasized and aimed to make their leadership stand out while strengthening their side for years to come. 

As the night ended, both sides reflected and refine their efforts to balance tradition with innovation. From the bold strategies of the esports competitors to the careful planning and guidance of side leaders, this year’s purple and gold teams worked to make their mark while honoring a long-standing legacy.  

While Purple Side celebrated their victory and Gold Side showcased resilience and leadership, both sides emphasized inclusion, creativity, and teamwork that ensured that College Night continues to evolve while remaining true to its roots, even after another 107 years.