It’s the first college night mixer and you are walking past all the tables and people that have convened for this year’s first big event. This is the other type of recruitment. Purple or gold, which will you choose? College night means so much to so many people on Montevallo’s campus. Some hold their hands high for a thumbs up. Others hold theirs proudly in a V. Either way, this is the time of the year where anyone on Montevallo’s campus can truly express himself or herself. Singers, dancers, musicians and writers all fill the hall and ask you, what seems to be, a simple question. Which side are you on? For some people this is a no brainer. “Oh I’m a purple,” some say. Others say, without a doubt in their mind, “I’ve always been a gold.” But sometimes, deciding is not so easy. Some people want to be with their friends while others want to see what things are like on both sides before they make a final decision. Either way, both sides have incredible people that create an atmosphere worth celebrating.

The first college night mixer can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of people recruiting for their side and there is even recruiting within each side. Some people try to show freshman how great their side can be while others talk to returning members of each side on why they should help out this year. This event is the first small step into what will be two incredible productions.

There is nothing quite like college night. It might not make sense to anyone at other universities, but it is second nature to most of us. We see it as our greatest tradition. Other schools have sports that are their greatest tradition. For a college like Montevallo that is so close to schools like Auburn and Alabama, college night separates us from the rest of the state. Every year, college night is another chapter in Montevallo’s long history. College night gives everyone a chance to shine on and off the stage and the people of the University of Montevallo would not trade it for anything.

College night has a special place in so many hearts. Year after year, alumni come back to witness what their side has come up with this year. It never ceases to amaze me how hard everyone works, on both sides of college night. These people put their whole lives aside to impress family, friends, other classmates and faculty. College night is an expression of creativity and it shows everyone how they can contribute to a larger cause.

College night may not be for everyone, but for most of us here at Montevallo, we welcome college night season with open arms. College night means something to us all. As we start another year and both sides gain new family members, let college night serve as a reminder of everything that this school has accomplished. Let it be something that defines our time at Montevallo and let future generations look back to this college night, with thoughts of striving to be like us and hopes that they can live up to how great college night can be. Whether it’s a PV or GV, make it a great year.