Attend My First Ever Basketball Game With Me!

(DePaul vs. Northwestern Edition)

A crowded arena full of people watching a men’s basketball game between DePaul University and Northwestern University in Chicago.
As someone who naturally gravitated towards my artistic and creative side, sports were never a part of my identity growing up. Unfortunately, I can’t relate to those who grew up playing a sport or spending nights with family and friends watching a game on the TV, but despite this, I have always kept an open mind towards the chance to experience the mutual excitement surrounding sports shared by so many, especially in college.
A digital scoreboard at a DePaul basketball game.

I have kept a mental list of all the things I wanted to try during my last year at college and this past Friday, I got to check off one of my goals: attending a DePaul basketball game! DePaul offers students the opportunity to go to all regular season, home games and competitions at no expense so it was only a matter of time until I would take advantage of this deal. I have to give credits to my friends who invited me to join them in watching our men’s basketball team that very night. Seeing as I had no plans at the time, I got my ticket and soon enough found myself on a bus heading to the Wintrust Arena. I, of course, must mention that students can also reserve a bus ticket that grants them the ability to enjoy free transportation to Wintrust provided by DePaul, so I got to travel to the game worry and cost free. 

An audience of DePaul students wearing blue merch cheering at a basketball game.

Entering Wintrust Arena For the First Time

Although I may not be the most invested in basketball the way others are, the moment I entered the arena, I was instantly filled up with excitement. The energy was contagious, and once seated, I found myself naturally cheering along with my friends whenever our team made a point. We didn’t get to sit in the student section this time around since it was full by the time we made it in, but DePaul’s section was passionate and loud, which made the atmosphere even more exhilarating.

A cheerleading team doing a stunt in the middle of a basketball court for an audience.

 

Besides watching and cheering, the game included various events where the crowd got to get involved and earn prizes. Throughout the night, students could look forward to receiving free merch through multiple giveaways. One giveaway had students catching t-shirts attached to mini parachutes that were floating from the arena ceiling which was a fun interactive moment. I wasn’t able to snag any merch that night, but DePaul is incredibly generous when it comes to gifting students with free merch and items during their yearly events which is where I have gotten a lot of my current DePaul merch collection from.

A group of hands holding three chocolate chip cookies from Levain.

Ending the Night with a Sweet Treat

Once the game ended and we were taken back home by our complimentary bus ride, my friends and I ended our night with a visit to Levain cookies since a new shop had opened up in Lincoln Park. It was while we were devouring our cookies when I had suddenly become incredibly grateful for moments like the one I was sharing with them. Some of the best and most fond memories made during college come out of spontaneous nights that take my friends and I wherever our hearts desire, and that night happened to lead to my very first live basketball game. And after having so much fun at this event, I hope that I can share similar experiences at other sporting events at DePaul throughout the rest of the year.

 

                                    ~With love, Sam

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