Aaliyah BowdenThe hazy glow of fluorescent lights and smoke machines filled N.C. Central University’s McDougald-McLendon Arena on August 11 for Training Day X. 2018 marked the tenth installment of the school’s annual back-to-school organization exhibition.
Doors opened an hour before the 8 p.m. start time, but there was a line around the block ready to see what would truly be a night to remember hours before students began filing into the arena.
This year’s Training Day spectacular featured the usual fare of the NCCU Sound Machine and varsity cheerleading squad Champagne kicking off the group performance section of the evening alongside new acts like student rapper ZayTheGoat and CPR Modeling Troupe.
Multiple representatives from non-performance student organizations took to the stage in between groups to speak about what they do, including members of NCCU’s current and 2008 Student Government Association body (who developed the event), Student Engagement and Leadership executive director Orok Orok and the 2018–19 leaders of the Student Activities Board.
Three sororities (Lambda Pi Chi, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Sigma Gamma Rho Sororities, Inc.) and two fraternities (Phi Beta Sigma and Omega Psi Phi Fraternities, Inc.) performed step routines for the 1000+ in attendance.
Students rushed against the barricades to see Atlanta rapper and headliner Hoodrich Pablo Juan end the show with tracks from his new LP “HoodWolf 2.”
