Aztec Nights: A New SDSU Tradition

They came ready for action, clad in black or red t-shirts, faces streaked with war paint.

As the students filed into the Aztec Recreation Center on Saturday, their goal was clear—to get San Diego State University into the Guinness Book of World Records as the site of the largest-ever dodgeball game.

And whether they succeeded (it will take six weeks for a confirmation from Guinness) is almost a footnote to one of the most successful programs of welcome activities in recent SDSU history.  

It’s called Aztec Nights, and it is rapidly becoming an entrenched part of life on Montezuma Mesa.

Socializing for success

Launched in fall of 2008, Aztec Nights provides vibrant campus nightlife and social opportunities for students to become engaged in positive, substance-free social and educational activities without having to leave campus.

“Aztec Nights is changing campus life,” said Randy Timm, SDSU director of student life and leadership. “It creates a cohesive, connected and engaged community on campus. Students from the residence halls are attending, and commuters are coming back to campus for the events. It’s an excellent venue to pull our community together.”

More than 16,000 students attended last year’s Aztec Nights events, and the planning definitely paid off. In conjunction with a five-week ban on all fraternity house parties, Aztec Nights helped reduce the number of alcohol and drug medical transports by 57 percent during the first five weeks of the fall 2008 semester and by 50 percent over the course of the school year.

Alcohol citations to students also fell, from 487 during the first five weeks of the fall 2007 semester to 209 during the same 2008 period. Aztec Nights was even cited as a successful field example by the U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse and Violence Prevention.

Research shows that experiences during the first six weeks of school help freshmen decide whether a college or university is right for them. Aztec Nights, along with other campus-wide strategies, encourage freshmen to adopt healthier socialization habits, adding to a better college experience.

Giving it the old college try

Saturday night’s dodgeball event was a prime Aztec Nights’ success story. More than 600 energized students attended the event, and of those, 450 were registered to play in the record-breaking game. Anticipating success, many showed up wearing t-shirts declaring “I Broke the Dodgeball World Record.”

Several systems were set in place to provide evidence that SDSU established a new world record: a numbering system for all participants, as well as a roster with each person’s signature. In addition, the entire event was videotaped and photographed.

Three independent recreation professionals not associated with SDSU were also brought in as required witnesses. After submitting all materials to Guinness World Records, SDSU should receive confirmation from the company within six weeks.

Future of Aztec Nights

So far this semester, Aztec Nights events have boasted large turnouts of enthusiastic students. Approximately 2,800 attended the Templo Del Sol Aztec initiation event on Aug. 28, and 4,500 students attended the Red & Black Dance the following night.

The fall semester’s remaining lineup of events includes a Las Vegas block party, charity dance marathon, free concerts, comedy acts, bowling and more.

Students were involved in the creation of Aztec Nights, and SDSU staff members are hoping they will continue to play an even bigger role as the series moves forward.

“As Aztec Nights continues to gain popularity, we are hoping to move it from being staff-run to being student-run,” said Timm. “Judging by the enthusiasm we have seen, we expect students to take ownership as early as spring semester.”