Makaylan Hanger, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member, holds up her phone while being pushed by her team during Bed Races on March 25 at Maverick Stadium. Bed Races is one of UTA’s oldest traditions.
UTA held its 46th annual Bed Races on Wednesday at Maverick Stadium, igniting a competitive yet friendly environment.
Students packed the stadium, racing each other on top of mattresses that zoomed down the field. During races, attendees threw around a football while the smell of food filled the air.
Bed Races was first introduced in 1980 and is one of the oldest campus traditions. Teams of five compete in a 40-yard dash, with four people pushing and one lying on a bed.
Several activities, including bounce houses, a wipeout machine and a DJ, brought liveliness to the crowd. This year’s event had a medieval theme and included free meals.
Josh Hale, Campus Recreation assistant director for sports programs, said traditions such as Bed Races promote school spirit, build a sense of community and bring Mavericks together.
“I’d say that’s one of the most rewarding things. And we always look forward to adding on new events,” Hale said. “It’s an exciting time, and just thrilled to get to do it every year for our students.”
This year’s races had four divisions for students to compete in. Team Fairy FC took first place in the men’s division, Delta Delta Delta came first in the women’s division and the National Pan-Hellenic Council won in the sorority and fraternity division.
Information systems senior Eddy Hernandez, who competed with Fairy FC, said he was happy to win with his friends in their first Bed Races and loved the competitiveness.
“We tried different people in the bed, and then, the last one, I was on the bed and we killed it,” Hernandez said. “It was competitive, these guys were fast, they were talking too. I loved it, I loved the energy.”
Biology junior Tianna Gonzalez, who was on the National Pan-Hellenic Council team, said they had a great time in the races and would participate again.
Construction management junior Hannah Edwards said she was happy to win during her first time at the event and encouraged other students to join in on the school spirit.
“People really should come,” Edwards said. “It’s a good way to get involved with the school community, and I feel like a lot of people think that UTA is a boring school, but it’s really what you make it.”
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