Winthrop University First Year Experience and the Winthrop Athletic Department joined together to welcomed the new class of 2022 with the annual Rock The Hill event.
Rock The Hill is an event to engage first-year students with Winthrop Athletics on just their second day on campus. Over a thousand freshmen headed on buses to the coliseum where student-athletes welcomed them in a tunnel to their new nest. Freshman were encouraged to participate in games, dancing and learn about what it means to be a true Winthrop Eagle.
Last year, FYE added a new component to the event which they titled “Lights Up.” During this activity, first year students responded using the flashlights on their cell phones to a series of questions prompted through a video. The mission was to provide a really meaningful experience for the incoming freshmen.
“This is a powerful experience to witness as it is such a tangible reflection of the students in the room,” said Jennie Montgomery, FYE Program Coordinator for Curriculum and Creative Development. “For example, one of the questions asked was ‘Who is feeling nervous?’ As hundreds of cell phone lights were lifted, this activity indicates how many of the first-year students were feeling. It is powerful for students, in the midst of hundreds of lights, to look around and know they are not alone in this transition.”
Further on in the event, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Pat Kelsey hosted the arena and showed his Winthrop spirit to the student body. He introduced all of the student athletes, facilitated the games and prize giveaways on the court, and taught first-year students the traditions of Winthrop athletics. These included the Winthrop fight song and the alma mater.
“I hoped they left feeling more confident in their decision to attend Winthrop and more pride in their school’s athletic program,” said Montgomery. “We want students to have left Rock the Hill feeling eager to make our athletic program a part of their college experience and to feel more connected to student-athletes, their peers, and Winthrop University as an institution.”