Super Bowl LIV, the 54th edition of the National Football League’s culminating game, was played Sunday, Feb. 2, between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. 

The game, held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, saw a 31-20 Kansas City victory. Patrick Mahomes took home his first Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honor. Shakira and Jennifer Lopez performed at the halftime show.

Roughly 1,100 miles away from the Florida festivities, however, Waynesburg University students prepared to watch the big game in a number of different ways.

Student Activities Board and Campus Ministry collaborated to have a watch party in the Beehive. Students were free to stop in, enjoy snacks and watch the game with four screens running the Fox broadcast.

Alexander Wees, sophomore biology and environmental science major, found the Beehive watch party as a relaxing place to take in the game.

“I like it,” Wees said. “It’s nice to have a spot to watch the game and get some snacks while working on stuff if you need to.”

Other students chose to get together in the dorms to watch the game.

Will Purbaugh, junior accounting major, hosted friends in his room in Willison Hall, where he streamed the game on the Fox Sports app and provided buffalo chicken dip.

Those in attendance were not limited to Waynesburg University students, however. Nathan Enos, resident of Confluence, Pensylvania, and long-time friend of Purbaugh’s, made the hour drive to Waynesburg to watch the game for what has become a tradition for the two friends.

“It’s always great to have one of my best friends from back home come down for any event, especially a big one like the Super Bowl,” Purbaugh said. “He’s actually come down for the game the previous two years I’ve been at Waynesburg, so it’s a tradition that both he and I enjoy.”

Enos frequently visits Waynesburg for sporting events and comes back for the atmosphere  Purbaugh and his friends bring.

“Will has surrounded himself with a great group of guys,” Enos said. “I like coming up and hanging out, they are sports freaks. I’ve never seen a group of guys love sports more. So, where’s a better place to watch sports?”

Purbaugh enjoys hosting Enos, as it allows him to see what his life is like at the university.

“It’s always interesting to get his perspective on how we do things at Waynesburg,” Purbaugh said. “It usually leads to a great time.”

Enos appreciates the tradition, and likes to take the opportunity to visit while Purbaugh is still in school.

“Will’s my best friend. It’s good to come up here and watch it with him,” Enos said. “I know he’s a junior, so I only have one more Super Bowl after this to come up here.”

Purbaugh’s friends have made Waynesburg University a destination for watching sporting events, explained Enos.

“It’s the best place to watch sports,” Enos said. “We watch something up here, and the intensity is here every time.”