Continuing a UTM tradition, the 9th annual Mike Munkel BBQ, hosted by Student Activities Council, SAC, and Sodexo, will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 21 at Pacer Pond.
In order to build up support for the event, Sodexo will close the Food Court and Skyhawk Café at that time and will accept Skyhawk Card swipes for food at the event for those who have meal plans. For others, it will cost $7. The event is open to anyone.
The event will include not only the opportunity to eat barbecue, but will also feature activities for students, including a Double Dare Challenge, which can be signed up for at https://orgsync.com/861/forms/102437. In addition, there will be magician and balloon artist Dave Evans and a station called Relaxation 101, featuring an oxygen bar and massage chairs.
Executive Chair of SAC Jesse Kowalewski thinks of the event as a celebration.
“The Munkel Barbecue is a celebration in honor of Mike Munkel and could also be seen as a celebration of the end of the semester,” Kowalewski said.
“Students should come to eat some delicious barbecue, relax at the massage station, breathe easy in the oxygen bar and participate in the Double Dare Challenge.”
Kowalewski hopes to make this year even more entertaining than the last.
“In comparison to last year, this year’s barbecue will have more entertainment, more food and a more intense Double Dare Challenge,” Kowalewski said.
Sodexo Dining Service Manager B.J. Long said that there would also be several food options, including barbecue bologna, pulled pork, chicken, baked beans, cold slaw, brownies, cookies and watermelon. In addition, vegan and vegetarian options will be present.
Long said that Sodexo has considered doing a cooking competition but has strayed from that idea in order to keep the atmosphere more relaxing.
“Last year we decided not to have a cooking competition; we just let students come out and tailgate and relax. So we decided to go with the very same tradition this year. And I think that’s a good way to go, because [last year] they really did enjoy it. There was no stress as far as having a competition; everyone just kicked back and had a good time,” Long said.
He added that a relaxing atmosphere is just what Mike Munkel, the former director of Dining Services who died in October 2005, embodied.
“If you knew Mike, he was a really easy-going, fun-loving character. He worked here as a long time as the director [of Dining Services]. He did a lot for the students and he had a lot of fun just watching students have fun, and that’s really what this event is about, just kicking back and having a good time,” Long said.
