On Oct. 30 at 6 p.m., the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and ETSU Athletics will host their annual Bucky’s Boo Bash, 2024 marking its seventh appearance since 2017 apart from 2020. The event was held at the William B. Greene Jr. Stadium where student-athletes, kids and attendees will celebrate Halloween by dressing up and interacting in a night full of spooktacular fun with catering provided by their sponsor, Bojangles.
Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Success Dr. Jessica Thomas oversees academics and student-athlete development. As part of the event, she mentions it is not only a chance for athletes to take a break from academics, but also an opportunity to give back to the Johnson City community, and a safe and fun way to connect with the younger audience.
What started out as a brainstorm idea of how student-athletes could connect with department leaders and the youth has grown into a convivial and popular event for attendees and athletes alike. Students especially look forward to dressing up with their teams, mentions Thomas.
“It is a privilege to be in the positions that we are in and want to demonstrate our gratitude for the community that supports us every year,” Thomas shared. “But we also hope it promotes a sense of comradery within the department.”
Due to scheduling, competitions and conference tournaments, it is not often that all teams can celebrate an event, but with planning taking place at the beginning of the semester, the department is given a chance to conjoin as a community.
“Our upperclassmen are usually the first to introduce the freshman to how much they treasure this event and are quick to involve them in planning,” Thomas shared. “The excitement each year is infectious.”
With costume ideas such as safari animals, crayons, mummies, elves and more, the SAAC helps bring out the Halloween spirit in the Buccaneer community. Last year, the event added a social media component to allow community members to vote on their favorite costumes.
To learn more about ETSU Athletics and Bucky’s Boo Bash, visit their X page at @ETSUAthletics.
