On the morning of Oct. 3, the Denver hockey team greeted dedicated, anxious, freezing and sleep-deprived students with donuts, pep, and most importantly assurance that the wait for hockey season was finally over.

Devoted Pioneers spent the prior night mingling amongst tents, chatting with fellow avid hockey lovers, trying to stay warm and restlessly counting down the hours until season tickets would be in their possession.

The annual Hockey Campout began the afternoon of Oct. 2, when students pitched their tents and claimed spots in line outside of the Ritchie Center.

In the evening, students were encouraged to go to the men’s soccer game against Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) (final score 1-1) and the volleyball game against South Dakota State University (DU won 3-0).

Following the games, students received free food catered by Snarf’s Sandwiches, Fat Shack and DU Grilling Society (DUGS).

Undergraduate Student Government leaders Cam Hickert and Jess Davidson were able to arrange a deal with the Athletic office and the office of the Chancellor to grant 200 Golden Tickets to the first 200 students in line.

The contents of the tickets include free attendance at every home game and the first outdoor rivalry game against Colorado College, the Battle on Blake, staged on Coors Field.

The Golden Tickets created a competitive dynamic within the first group of 200 students who were patiently waiting for their tickets. A few verbal confrontations over cutting the line occurred, but in the end, students were more than overjoyed to see the Pioneer players singing the school fight song with boxes of glazed donuts; the sign that the much anticipated hockey season had begun.

Yet again, the campout was an enormous success for students and players, constructing anticipated excitement and school spirit to support the Pioneers as they embark on the 2015-2016 season.