Many of the favorite events at Grand Valley State University are planned by the Laker Traditions Team.

The Laker Traditions Team is responsible for planning and organizing the Laker Kickoff Party, Family Weekend, Founders Day, homecoming, Battle of the Valleys, Sibs N’ Kids, the Presidents’ Ball, the Intercultural Festival and the ExtravaGRANDza.

Sean O’Melia, Laker Traditions Team programming chair, plays a similar role to the president of most student organizations.

“Thus far the Laker Traditions Team has put on the Laker Kickoff Party (on Aug. 26), Family Weekend (Oct. 2- 4), homecoming (Oct. 18-24), and Founders Day (Oct. 22),” O’Melia said.

According to O’Melia, each one of these events has led to great success and had few issues with them. However, the most challenging event of the year is quickly approaching.

“We realize that Battle of the Valleys will most likely be our biggest challenge of the year, but with the momentum we currently have, we’re excited for what the future holds,” O’Melia said. “We’re excited to try to raise as much money for the Laker Children’s Fund.”

Recently, the Laker Traditions Team has undergone changes to their structure and the way they connect with students.

“So far, out of the three years that the Traditions Team has been in existence, it seems to be the best year yet,” O’Melia said. “Thanks to changes and directions lead by Traditions advisor LeaAnn Tibbe, she has made big changes in the structure of the team.

“We wanted to have more support for each tradition, with committees,” he said. “With this system, we’ve seen a lot of work divided up and it has lead to more quality work and a better team environment.”

This academic year, the Laker Traditions Team has been made more accessible to any student who would like to join. Previously students could apply to serve as coordinator for one of the nine traditions. This year, the team has allowed anyone to join that wants to be more involved in things happening on campus, O’Melia said.

“We’ve been able to recruit several new students, including many first-year students,” said Tibbe. “(They) have jumped right in and helped decorate the 20/20 Desk, volunteered at events, provided feedback on events, assisted with the promotional aspect and enjoyed several bonding events as a team.”

This is not the only change the team has seen this year.

“We no longer pay the coordinators, as we have more of a team feel for all the event planning,” Tibbe said. “This has allowed us to use some additional funds for programming and to purchase extra swag for the students.”

The group has made it their mission to create a family-like atmosphere on the Laker Traditions Team.

“I think a key component that has made the team become successful is having the team feeling that we have,” said Andrew Travis, membership chair for Laker Traditions. “Everyone on the team is in it to win it, but not for themselves. They are in it for the other team members and for the Grand Valley community.”

The team has also increased their community involvement this year.

“We have several students who will be working with area schools, mentoring first through fourth graders and also working with the TRIO program mentoring high school students,” Tibbe said. “We are looking forward to hosting them at GVSU as well as working with them in their schools.

“We have collaborated with several area businesses who have provided meals, t-shirts and food at our events,” she added. “It has been mutually beneficial for both the businesses and GVSU.”

The Laker Traditions Team meets Fridays at 2 p.m. in Kirkhof Center Room 1104. Any student interested in joining should email [email protected] for more information.