Imagine having your house invaded by complete strangers planning to throw a party.
This was almost a reality for the senior girls living in the “Exit,” their house at Fairfield beach.
Along with approximately 500 graduates, the former “Exit” boys returned to Fairfield to relive their college days last weekend.
In 2004, alumni relations recorded 250 alumni in attendance and did not expect the influx this year.
“There were so many graduates who came back this year in comparison to last,” said Matt Weiner ’06. “Especially down at the beach, they were overflowing.”
This year, there were more alumni athletic events, which could have contributed to the greater number of alumni, according to Nicholas Segretario, assistant director of alumni relations.
“The beach seemed crazy,” said beach resident Margo Smith ’06. “I waited two hours to get into the Grape and I know there were lots of parties.”
But the administration said that the graduates behaved themselves.
“Reports of misconduct of inappropriate behavior were not significantly different than a standard weekend,” said Mark Reed, dean of students.
With some exceptions, most students agree.
“No one seemed to get out of hand,” said Gregg Surette ’06.
But Lauren Laramore ’06 felt differently.
She was presented with a difficult situation: the previous tenants of her beach house had taken great strides to plan a “welcome back” party.
After reading a message on thefacebook.com announcing the party, the current residents angrily responded and assumed the party had been knolled.
Friday night, current “Exit” resident Lauren Laramore ’06 said she was greeted by knock at the door.
An unknown intoxicated young man asked her, “Can I come in and look at the house?”
She said no and he left.
Hours later, three others showed up at the house. Practically “rolling in kegs” for a party the next night, the previous tenants assured the girls their beds would be made in the morning and “not to worry,” Laramore said.
Luckily, the “Exit” girls were able to persuade the anxious alumni to find entertainment elsewhere.
The Sea Grape gladly welcomed the hundreds of alumni. Beginning at 5:30 p.m Friday night, Grape patrons took their positions in line.
Amidst the broken glass and wreckage, a line had already formed by noon outside the Grape on Saturday.
“I didn’t like how it took a half hour to get a drink and there was broken glass all over the floor at the bar,” said Tom Arsenault ’06. “But other than that it was a good time in general.”
Besides visiting old stomping grounds such as the Grape and the beach houses, alumni athletes suited up for scrimmages in basketball, baseball, softball, swimming, softball, lacrosse, and volleyball organized by their coaches.
Ted Spencer, lacrosse coach, expected 60 players to return, alumni relations said.
In addition to the 10 sports games, a boat dedication ceremony honored Rose Ellen Walsh Schnurr ’74 with a crew shell in her name.
Both the field hockey team’s 25th anniversary celebration and rugby award ceremonies were held in the Athletic Center.
Stagtoberfest, an open concert featuring alumni bands, rocked the Levee from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday.
Many alumni said the weekend was a great success and that the beach and Fairfield’s campus were accommodating and just as they had remembered.
“I had a great time,” said Lynn Pinto ’05. “Even though it’s been a while since we’ve all been in Fairfield, it’s nice to know that everyone could hang out and share a good laugh together as if we never left.”
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