By Rachel Deodato

High Point University’s newest facility is bringing a lot of attention to its campus. Whether it be prospective students, the local community or even current students, everybody is excited. Not only is the Nido and Mariana Qubein Arena and Conference Center the university’s newest attraction, but also a new incentive for some school spirit.

With the new arena followed students life’s idea to implement tailgates. With a rotating schedule, campus organizations, such as Greek Life and campus clubs, are given a tent to socialize and share drinks and snacks before the game.

“This is the first time I’ve regularly gone to games before and I’ve gone to three now, which is three more that I’ve been to since I was a freshman,” said Anna Turning, an HPU junior.

Students who wouldn’t regularly attend basketball games are now more prompted to attend the games when their campus organization is holding a tailgate outside the arena.

Andrea Mannarino, an HPU senior, said, “I haven’t been to a basketball game, personally, in three years and I think the arena has definitely prompted a lot more people to partake in student life.”

“The Marching Panthers,” HPU’s prior pep band and now marching band, is way more involved this year than in the past. Creating even more excitement to the women’s and men’s basketball games.

A member of “The Marching Panthers” said, “We are way more involved, we are doing way more advanced half-time shows than we’ve done before.”

“The Marching Panthers” perform in the midst of tailgate tents before entering the arena and show off their talents at half-time on select games. While it’s been a change, the band members are super proud of their progress.

Be sure to attend a game to show some panther pride before the season is over as we are coming to a quick end with only a month left of the season.

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For more information on HPU Athletics and schedules, please visit their website www.highpointpanthers.com.

Rachel Deodato is a senior at High Point University majoring in Journalism. For contact inquiries, please email rdeodato@highpoint.edu.