Some students said they came for the free burgers, some for the free beer, but most just came to the Student Alumni Association Burger Bash because it was free.
Edgar Martinez, who attended his third Burger Bash Monday night, had a different reason for coming. “It helps students to interact and mingle. You don’t see too many events where you just come hang out with friends in a broad range from freshman to seniors; the raffle prizes are fun too.”
Brent Ross, associate vice president of the SAA, emphasized that the event is great for graduating seniors and also the underclass students who attend. “This event is more of a twofold thing; one to inform seniors of their memberships, and then try to sign up some non-graduating seniors to the SAA.”
A new incentive for students to sign up for the SAA was a present to all the graduating seniors from Texas Tech President Duane Nellis, who is buying every out-going graduate their first year of membership to the SAA.
Laura Bixler, coordinator of Marketing, PR and Membership and the Student Alumni Board adviser, wanted students to know about the opportunities and discounts that having the SAA membership gives them:
“There is career services; there is Red Raider networking; you can get discounts all around town like Tea to go, Simply Decadent, Blue Sky; and we support Texas Tech tradition and scholarships, just to name a few things. There are so many connections and we just wants students to be aware of that.”
Laura Bixler
The Bash was at capacity, with students having to wait on refreshments and food all night until the food eventually ran out earlier than expected.
Raffle prizes were given out, including gift cards from various sponsors, blankets, an autographed basketball signed by Tech Men’s basketball coach Tubby Smith, and two $150 gift cards from Southwest Airlines. After the event, many students stayed behind to sign up for the SAA, an indication that the Bash was successful.
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