By Kyle Peveto, Opinion Editor

President Royce Money spoke to the group of young men who waited patiently to hear his opinion:

“I can’t believe St. Joe’s,” he said, commenting on the St. Joseph’s NCAA basketball tournament game.

Money, clad in black cowboy boots and faded jeans, hung out with freshmen men in Mabee Hall from 11 p.m. Thursday to 1 a.m. Friday. Mabee directors provided refreshments of cookies, crackers and punch to assist the party in extending to the late 1 a.m. hour.

“I usually go to bed around 11,” Money said. “But I’ll rise to the occasion.”

Money said the idea to hang out with the freshmen came froma group of residents who broached the subject while he ate lunch with them in the Bean.

Daniel Gray, freshman social work major from Memphis, Tenn., picked Thursday as the night with the president after e-mailing Money’s office. Gray set up the refreshments, hung fliers and left a voice mail on every Mabee resident’s phone to prepare for the event.

“I knew they would really enjoy it,” said Jake Sledge, Mabee director. “This is an example of what the students want from all faculty and staff.”

No activities were planned for Money’s visit, but he said he was up for anything, “as long as it’s legal.”

Following normal freshman male nights, Money said he planned to play a few video games or maybe some pool. Some students invited him to join an air hockey tournament on the third floor.

Money said he looked forward to seeing how life in the halls has changed since his last year in Edwards in 1963..

In the past, Money has switched places with a random student for a day.

But for two hours, freshmen men got to know the president as just another guy.

“These guys will never forget this,” Sledge said.