COLLEGE PARK, Md. – In an effort to recognize the tireless work of University of Maryland Resident Assistants (RAs), Maryland Athletics invited the group of 270 to the men's basketball team's season-opener Tuesday night for a pizza and ice cream party pregame in Heritage Hall.
The RAs were also recognized for the major role they played in promoting the Midnight Mile in October, as they helped encourage students to participate in the annual men's basketball preseason event.
As a big supporter of Maryland basketball, Christopher Louzon, a senior RA for Oakland Hall, enjoyed the opportunity to watch warm-ups from the view of Heritage Hall. Not only did Louzon have an opportunity to connect with the athletics department at the event, but it also provided a special opportunity where the RAs from different dorms had the chance to interact.
"It's an amazing opportunity for us as a reminder that everything we do for athletics actually make a difference," Louzon said. "It's really cool that Athletics and ResLife can partner together and find an event that residents would be interested in and really promote that. It gives us that chance to advertise for our floors in addition to what we would normally do."
Anchal Shukla, a junior RA in LaPlata Hall, loves the environment that a Maryland basketball game brings. She is not a regular basketball fan but can't resist participating in an environment as electric as a Maryland basketball game.
"It's amazing that there was an event for us," Shukla said. "RAs work really hard and sometimes it's a little frustrating when we go unnoticed. It's amazing. This event is awesome, I'm really grateful for it."
Debissa Nuressa, a senior RA for Hagerstown Hall, wants to attend all the basketball games he has the opportunity to before he graduates. The pizza party meant a lot.
"We definitely do a lot of work," Nuressa said. "It's really nice to see other aspects of the university - athletics in this case - just show that appreciation. I'm very much grateful."
The men's basketball team returns to action Saturday night at 9:00 pm when it hosts Rhode Island. The game will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1.
-Terps-
