How did MSU students spend their snow day?

January 12, 2011

By AMBER ALEXANDER
and BRIAN HAWKINS
BB Staff

The winter storm that struck the Starkville area from Sunday afternoon to early Monday morning gave Mississippi State students a rare break from classes Monday after weather conditions prompted the cancellation of classes.
So what did countless MSU students do when there was anywhere from 2 to 4 inches of snow and sleet on the ground and no classes to attend? Spend as much time as possible playing in the white stuff.
Snowball fights and sledding were the order of the day for most students.
“We climbed the mountain of snow behind the Pointe and slid down it. Other than that, the regular, such as snowball fights with strangers,” said Ellen Farrish.
Every possible hill on campus saw some sledding activity during the night Sunday and all day Monday, particularly the hills behind the YMCA Building, George Hall and Harned Hall, which were left as a snowy, muddy mess by mid-afternoon Monday.
Students found many a perfect “sled” for careening down the many steep hills, including laundry baskets, garbage can tops, dumpster lids, sheets of cardboard, plastic tarps and large plastic tubs and tops.
“I spent half my snow day trying to find the perfect sled to go down the hill on campus and the other half of the day sledding,” said William Jones.
For some students, the winter weather offered a chance to participate in some unique sporting events.
“I played soccer in the snow and had a massive snowball fight with everyone at the Pointe,” said Nick Hollingsworth.
After awhile, though, the cooler temperatures did send many students retreating to the warmth of residence hall rooms and apartments.
“We played in the snow and went sledding in the Highlands (Plantation). After we tried to stay warm by sitting inside and watching movies with my roommates,” said Taylor Ford.