A day of victory: Augustine Hall celebrates after being crowned champions of the 2026 First Year Olympics. / Photo by Rebecca Harper
At the 2026 First Year Olympics, Augustine Hall Brings a Royal Blue Wave
Tug-of-war and Rubik’s cubes, tricycle races and cardboard boats—each year, SMC's own Olympic games offer incoming Gaels a memorable day of competition and hall pride.
For decades, the First Year Olympics has offered first-year and transfer students a spirited and memorable day of competition and hall pride. On September 13, incoming Gaels were invited to represent their Hall and join in on this year's event, which is a collaboration between Residential Experience and the Campus Recreation team. Funding for the event was provided by the Student Enhancement Fee, which helps Student Life host events, concerts, cultural programs, wellness programs, and other initiatives like this one.
Let the Games Begin!
The first challenge was the Team Cheer, Creative Flag, and Creative T-Shirt Competition. Teams were given just five minutes to prepare their cheers before spreading out across the lawn. One by one, representatives from each hall took the stage, proudly displaying their flags and creative shirts while their teammates cheered them on. The creativity continued with a series of fun individual and team challenges.
In the Rubik’s Cube Challenge, representatives raced to solve the colorful puzzle. Augustine Hall finished before all other classmates.
One of the biggest displays of teamwork: Tug-of-War had each hall squared off, gripping the rope and pulling with everything they had. With equal numbers competing, strength, strategy, and teamwork determined which halls would advance.
After the exciting games on De La Salle Lawn, the teams headed to the Recreation Center to compete in Volleyball, Dodgeball, and Indoor Soccer. Each game gave students another chance to represent their halls, support their teammates, and earn points toward the overall competition.
Building a Boat…Literally!
While the teams competed, another challenge quietly took shape.
Each hall received cardboard and duct tape and was tasked with building its very own canoe. Teams had the entire sports competition period to design and construct their boats. Their creations would eventually face the ultimate test: carrying a rider across the pool and back.
After the final whistle, the halls made their way toward the pool deck for the event's most creative challenge yet—the Cardboard Canoe Race.
As the canoes entered the water, everyone waited to see which creations would survive the journey. Some boats glided across the water. Others struggled almost immediately. Cheers erupted from the deck as students encouraged their teammates to keep going.
With creativity, teamwork, and perhaps a little questionable engineering, students worked together to transform ordinary cardboard into makeshift watercraft.
Each game gave students another chance to represent their halls, support their teammates, and earn points toward the overall competition.
Students met people from across campus, worked with their hallmates, cheered for their friends, tried new activities, and created memories that will last long after the final competition ended.
Congratulations, Augustine Hall!
2026 First Year Olympic Champions
