The Student Government Association and Student Programming Association have teamed up to offer a cash award to student organizations on campus at various athletic events this year.The award, known as the “Spirit Award”, was established to reward organizations for showing school spirit and to get more students to attend these events, SGA vice president John Lombardo said.

“We have some of the best athletic programs around here and it’s painstaking to see these athletes go out there and play with little to no support,” Lombardo said. “Since SGA and SPA seek to better the school, we went about finding an easy way to get student involvement at athletic events. We worked closely together, creating a program that will benefit all students.”

The award will be given out at halftime during several sporting events throughout the year, Lombardo said. The amount of money won will range from $70 to $175 and the exact amount will remain secret until the time of announcement.

Three unbiased faculty, staff, in the event will judge participating organizations or alumni on overall spirit, group unity and group effort.

Overall spirit points will be given to organizations that cheer the whole time, bring signs, clap, participate with the band and are “just having an overall good time cheering on the fighting Colonels,” Lombardo said.

Unity points will be given to groups that show they are unified and make themselves stick out.

Effort points will be given to groups that put their all into their game participation.

“We know some organizations are bigger than others. We want to make sure that it’s not the size of your organizations but the amount of effort you put into it,” Lombardo said.

Organizations wishing to participate can sign up at the entrance to the student section at the sporting events, Lombardo said. SGA, SPA, athletic groups and any organization that gets paid will not be eligible to participate.

Lombardo said this is any easy way to have fun and potentially get money for your organization.

“We are giving out easy money,” Lombardo said. “There is no easier way to receive money from any department at Nicholls then going to a game, having a few drinks and cheering on the Colonels. You either go out there and have fun or you go out there, have fun and bring home some money. How much easier does it get?”

Anyone with questions regarding this should contact John Lombardo at [email protected].