NACOGDOCHES — With the squelch of a megaphone and the wave of an oversized pair of white briefs, hundreds of nearly-nude SFA students let out a cheer and commenced the running of Undie Run 2008.
Thursday night's underwear-only jog was both a mile-long charity run and an end-of-the-semester stress relief activity. Students who congregated around the statue of Surfin' Steve shortly before 10 p.m. cited the fun of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and the appeal of 1970s tradition as they explained their motivation for baring down and jogging off.
Kerron Joseph watched the crowd grow, debating whether he would join the disrobing mob. As the number of clothed bodies dwindled and shrieks and chants of "SFA" began to erupt, he opted in. "I guess it's college fun. Innocent college fun," he said.
Amid snapshots and giggles, Brian Coburn, who organized the event, said the Undie Run was a way to let loose while supporting a good cause. All the clothes stripped off before Thursday night's race were donated to the Women's Shelter of East Texas and Goodwill charities.
"It's something relaxing to get your mind off of finals," Coburn said. As traditions council president, he said he was inspired by the 1970s-era tradition of streaking at SFA and by some California schools that hold similar events.
Heather Thompson rallied the masses with a flag made from a pair of drawers proudly emblazoned with the letters "SFA."
"I'm just excited that a lot more people showed up. There's a lot of people here, so its going to be fun and different," she said. "In the '70s they used to streak through campus. That's kind of what we're trying to implement — an old tradition, kind of in a modern way."
University police were on hand to keep the loud but peaceable group in order. Chief Marc Cossich compared the environment to his days in Louisiana patrolling Mardi Gras. He conceded that he'd never seen anything like the Undie Run at SFA before.
"We just want to make sure everybody is safe. That's what it boils down to," he said.
The buzz of the crowd heightened when Coburn outlined the course and laid the groundrules for the race. Standing proudly beneath Stephen F. Austin's dignified visage in his underpants, Coburn neatly echoed the zeitgeist of the evening.
"Lumberjacks care, and lumberjacks like to run in their underwear."
