The fourth annual Blood Battle between Syracuse University and the University of Connecticut kicks off Wednesday with a blood drive and tailgate party.

Members of the SU community are encouraged to donate blood Wednesday in Goldstein Auditorium in the Schine Student Center.

The blood drive will last from 2-9 p.m. with a tailgate party and viewing of the final Big East regular season matchup between the two schools at 7 p.m.

“Events like this generate excitement and pride among students and staff while incorporating community service,” said Maureen Wellman, manager of communications for American Red Cross Blood Services of the New York-Penn region.

The event is free and students are encouraged to either come back after donating or stay to cheer on the men’s basketball team. Snacks will be provided and there will be free giveaways such as water bottles and T-shirts. Three student organizations are also set to perform during halftime of the game, said Bridget Yule, director of student centers and programming services.

While the battle officially takes place in April, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to donate at the kickoff event and pre-register for the mega-drive in February. Only the pints donated at residence halls, student centers and academic buildings in April will count toward the competition. The winner of the contest is decided based on the ratio of enrollment at the institution to participation in the drive, according to a Feb. 1 SU News release.

Wellman added that roughly 50 percent of all donors are first-timers. She said it’s important to encourage year-round donation, and a kickoff event normally leads donors to come back for the competition in April, making them long-term donors.

The Blood Battle between SU and UConn began in 2009, when the Connecticut and New York-Penn Red Cross offices wanted to expand their number of college donors, Yule said. UConn won in 2010 and 2012, while SU won in 2011.

There’s no real prize, Wellman said but “it’s a pride thing.” She added that it’s an easy way to give back to the community because each pint of blood can save up to three lives.

Student Association members, Schine officials and programming services helped create buzz about the competition by using social media, advertisements, staking signs outside of Schine, plastering posters throughout residence halls and academic buildings, and putting table tents on dining hall tables, Yule said.

Since this marks the final year in the Big East for SU, both officials at SU and the Red Cross are seeking out another school to carry on the Blood Battle tradition with, Yule said.

Said Yule: “We are actively looking for an ACC school to carry on this tradition with us.”

Published on February 12, 2013 at 10:03 pm