Raiders host Howloween Hoopla

Costumed children got the chance to shoot baskets with the Raiders at Howloween Hoopla, a free family event offering candy, games and other Halloween activities on Monday at the Nutter Center.

Howloween Hoopla held a stretch of tables set up by different organizations, like the sorority Theta Phi Alpha, which handed out candy to children in a trick-or-treat style atmosphere as they made their way around the room.

Children had the chance to walk through a haunted house and go down onto the court floor which was opened up to shoot basketballs, as well as jump in an inflatable bounce house and play putt-putt golf.

The Wright State men's and women's basketball teams were also present to sign autographs and meet with the children.

The goal of Howloween Hoopla was to reach out to the community, according to Brandon hays, Assistant Director of Marketing for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

"We want our athletes to have that community minset," said Hays, "to know that it's part of their duty to [give back to] the community."

According to Mark Gazdik, an Assistant Director of Athletics, Howloween Hoopla benefits the university as a whole, not just the athletics department.

"It's just a great opportunity to come together and really reach out to all the young kids and their parents to come out and have a good time and introduce them to Wright State University, the different groups on campus and all we have to offer," said Gazdik.

According to Abby Lewis, junior Communications major and women's tennis athlete, the event had a noticeable increase in attendance, describing this year's turnout as "amazing."

Athletes and student organization members said they enjoyed seeing the children's costumes and interacting with them.

Lewis said she particularly liked seeing the children's costumes, while Theta Phi Alpha member Sloan Hoppe liked passing out candy.

"It makes me feel good," said Hoppe. "They're so happy when they come up to talk to us."