To take their minds off the stress of the semester, University of New Mexico students wreaked havoc with sledgehammers on a white junkyard car near the Student Union Building.
The event was hosted by the UNM Student Activities Center in anticipation of the finale of college basketball season. In solidarity with the Lobo women’s basketball team’s March 8 Mountain West Conference Tournament game, and the men’s game soon after, the junkyard car was spray painted with logos of Mountain West foes.
Britten Ratcliff said he had a lot of fun at the event.
“I decided to show up and see what it was all about: a lot of fun, beating the heck out of a car — A real untraditional event that ASUNM decided to put on,” Ratcliffe said. “I think it’s a really creative event that’s a little bit different to get students on campus to get them engaged.”
The vibes were great ahead of spring break as Lobo Nation joined together to smash their rivals’ logos on Thursday, March 5.
Sydney Foster first viewed the destruction from the sidelines, then joined in on the fun and gave the car a beating.
“Definitely a good way to get out your anger,” Foster said.
With the exception of the gas tank, students had free reign and thirty seconds to smash the car. By the end of the event, the car’s front and back bumpers had been knocked off and an array of dents covered every side.
Michael Cole said the experience of breaking a car was exciting.
“Honestly, being able to take your rage out on a car,” Cole said. “Just fun to show school spirit.”
Mischa Clouthier-Romero said it was fun and a good way to show support for Lobo basketball.
“I am a big fan of basketball, and I like going to all the games, so I thought it’d be fun to put some of that anger out that we have for these other teams,” Clouthier-Romero said.
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Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
