The Inferno Run is one of many memorable traditions first-year students experience during their first semester at Northwestern State University. The run is an event that has been carried down from generation to generation and opens the football season with exciting energy and a lively experience for all in attendance. The Inferno Run is one of the few memories that the Class of 2028 will have where the majority of their class is together.
Mary-Katherine Horton Maggio, the Director of First Year Experience and Student Engagement, works to make student life enjoyable for students in their first year of college and plans many events for them to attend. “The Inferno Run is one of my favorite first-year traditions. It is where the students gather together in the end zone of the first home football game and storm the field to open the game. Then, they form the tunnel for the football team to run through!” Maggio said.
For all first-year students, the event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and should be taken advantage of, along with many of the other events around campus. “Participate in all the first-year traditions! You only get the chance to do them once,” Maggio said.
The Inferno Run is a lifelong memory for many students and encourages them to enjoy future campus events. Amanda Sanders, a freshman business administration major, said her favorite part of the run was when she passed by all the people with cameras. “I was running and screaming, ‘Go NSU!’ That moment of adrenaline made the entire rest of that experience more prideful,” Sanders said.
Logan Statos is a freshman pre-med biology major who recommends all incoming freshmen participate in the Inferno Run. “It helps you create connections with other students that may have common interests and, more importantly, will help you have a good time as an incoming freshman,” Statos said.
Northwestern State University takes immense pride in making sure all feel welcome and enjoy their first year of college. The Inferno Run is just one of the many events that encourage new students to explore what the campus has to offer and create potential friendships along the way.
