Student-dad teams in the running for the “Iron Dad” title will compete against one another at 4 p.m. today.
Due to construction, the location has changed from the Vandal Booktore Plaza to the Student Union Building patio on the opposite side of Deakin Avenue.
Registration for this event ended Monday because of a high number of applicants, said Molly Loucks, Student Alumni Relations Board Dads Weekend co-chair. She said the $8 cost per team includes a T-shirt for dads.
Jim Martinez, Loucks’ co-chair partner, said this is the second year the Iron Dad competition has been a part of Dads Weekend activities. Martinez said participation grew a significant amount from last year.
“This year, 49 student-dad teams are competing, compared to an estimated 25 teams last year,” Martinez said. “The popularity keeps increasing and we will definitely have this event in the future.”
Teagen Berreman, who helped and participated in last year’s Iron Dad event, said teams really got into the challenges. She said it should continue to be a part of the Dads Weekend events.
“It gathered a big crowd,” Berreman said. “I thought it was really fun and was a great way to get closer to the student body as a whole.”
The challenges are different from last year and have been chosen at random from NBC’s “Minute-to-Win-It” game show, but aren’t too challenging, Martinez said.
“The top two teams with the fastest time get the Vandal gear prizes,” Loucks said. “It’s a cheaper alternative to the additional Dads Weekend activities, and something fun to do Friday before dinner.”
Freshman Whitney Davis said she thought it looked fun and signed herself and her stepfather up to compete.
“I’m excited for the event and my stepdad is excited for the T-shirt,” Davis said. “We’re glad we found something fun for both of us to participate in.”
Loucks said there are a lot more events this year for Dads Weekend than they’ve had in the past, and she is excited for the increased turnout.