Gold victory at UM’s College Night
Published 12:04 pm Monday, February 13, 2017
Emotions were high after Gold Side's victory was announced at College Night 2017. (Photos by Keith McCoy)
Cheerleaders performed to show spirit for their sides at the basketball game on Feb. 11.
Cheerleaders performed to show spirit for their sides.
Cheerleaders performed to show spirit for their sides.
Cheerleaders performed to show spirit for their sides.
There was a fierce competition on the court, with a last minute comeback by Purple.
There was a fierce competition on the court, with a last minute comeback by Purple.
Purple Side celebrates their victory at the game.
Throughout the homecoming festivities, Purple Side held up their hands in a V, while Gold Side held up their thumbs.
Students and alumni link hands in a show of solidarity with their side.
Students and alumni link hands in a show of solidarity with their side.
Each side has a song that is part of the festivities each year, much like an alma mater.
The singing commenced the College Night competition, as groups once again held hands and covered the floor of Palmer auditorium.
Each side has a song that is part of the festivities each year, much like an alma mater.
The singing commenced the College Night competition, as groups once again held hands and covered the floor of Palmer auditorium.
Levi (Chance Majewski) and Huck (Aaron Coleman) share a drink in the opening scene of Purple Side's Showtime.
The cast of Showtime, set in New York City, during the first scene.
Levi and Eliza (Claire Quirk) were love interests in the story.
Sibling cats Nugget (Michael Loman) and Lola (Madison Johnson) were recruited by the antagonist, the King (Matt Suddarth).
Huck (Aaron Coleman) and Penelope (Ashlyn Bondurant) were another love interest.
Eliza and friends have a party in New York City.
Penelope is kidnapped by the King, as he plans to marry her against her will.
The Witch (Maggie Coe) gets her wand back and puts and end to The King's antics.
Levi and Eliza are reunited in the end.
Everyone celebrates their victory over the King in the final scene of the performance.
The Merry Men Friar Tuck (Marcus Moore), Alan-a-Dale (Jahleel Walker) and Little John (Donnie Bennett).
Gold Side's re-imagined Robin Hood (Jared Max Wright) surrounded by the people of Nottingham in the opening scene.
Maid Marian (Tahauny Cleghorn) with the Ladies in Waiting (Emily Gabhart, Taylor Chatman and Krysten Richards)
Prince John (Alex Belli) and the Sheriff of Nottingham (Terrance Boykin) dance as they plot to raise taxes.
Robin Hood announces his plan to steal the crown and celebrates at a party.
Maid Marian is named Sheriff of Nottingham after the old sheriff is found to be a crook.
The stage was filled with people involved with the production of both plays.
The reaction from both sides after SGA President Hunter Huie announced Gold Side's victory.
A wave of emotion washed over the Gold Side as their victory was announced with the secret phrase.
Boykin and Gold Side co-leader Amanda Swift are overcome with emotion.
Wright holds a copy of the student newspaper announcing Gold Side's victory.
Purple Side continued to show love for their color after the announcement of Gold's victory.
By STEVEN CALHOUN/Staff Reporter
MONTEVALLO – “It’s time to fight,” SGA President Hunter Huie read, sending the Gold Side into a victorious uproar at the University of Montevallo’s annual College Night.
Every year, each side picks a secret phrase from their production which, if read in the final speech by the SGA President, signifies their victory in the university’s weeklong homecoming competition.
“The tradition never ceases to evoke passion and delight because of its originality and competitive spirit,” Huie wrote.
Alumni and former Gold Side leader Andrew Heaton described College Night as “a microcosm of the college experience itself.”
College Night began in 1919 as a competition held in the dining hall between the classes at UM.
Soon after its inception, two teams were formed for the school: Gold Side and Purple Side. A sort of courtship became common for incoming freshmen before picking a side in the annual competition.
In 1950, the students and faculty decided College Night would be more like what it is today: a full production by the two sides with scripts, music, sets and costumes created by students from start to finish.
The days preceding the performances were filled with athletic events. Points are tallied throughout the week, but the performances were weighted heavily in the equation.
The productions on the final night were the culmination of hard work by a cabinet, full production staff and members from each side who contributed in innumerable ways.
Purple and Gold created their plays in the fall, recruited talent and then only had about a month leading up to College Night to prepare the sets and perfect their performances. This year, Gold Side’s reimagining of Robin Hood, entitled “A Very Notti Musical,” won against Purple Side’s magic-filled romp through New York, entitled “Showtime.”
“Our practices would often go from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.,” Charlotte Wickersham said.
Wickersham was on Gold Side and performed in “A Very Notti Musical” as “The Blonde One.”
“It was good to be [in a group] that’s so hard working and appreciates everyone’s talents,” Wickersham said.
Many alumni were present for the unique homecoming tradition. Purples and Golds hold true to their colors and come dressed to show support for their side.
“It’s one of the best parts of my year,” Gold Side alumni Megan Scofield Michaelson said.
Michaelson has been attending college night for 14 years now, and was proud to see her side win this year. She said the first College Night she ever attended was during her junior year of high school.
The tradition is an intense competition for undergraduates and a beckoning to alumni, who share fond memories of the process.
“You worked, you laughed, you cried and you loved. We are not just Golds. We are not just Purples. We are College Night. We are Montevallo,” Heaton wrote.
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