Southern Accent Southern Adventist University students to host second ‘Fight Night’ community boxing event

Kari Shultz to retire after 24 years at Southern Adventist University

After attendance exceeded expectations last year, Southern Adventist University students Jake D’Avanzo, senior marketing major, and Cole Gentry, sophomore marketing major, are hosting a second Fight Night, an off-campus boxing event open to the community.

Fight Night is not affiliated with the university, but Southern students are participating as fighters.

As of Tuesday morning, the event was postponed to

Saturday, April 15, due to weather. Doors to the preevent will open at 5:30 p.m. Updates will be posted on Fight Night’s Instagram: @ fight_night_2023.

Fights will begin at 8 p.m., according to Gentry. However, the hosts are planning to open the gates at 6 p.m., as there will be carnival games, a petting zoo, food and apparel to buy beforehand, said D’Avanzo. Nick Thompson, sophomore nursing major (stage name Rapper 407 NJT) will perform at halftime. The location has not changed since last year, and the address will be announced on Instagram.

Fight Night is a cash-only event. There will be a $5 entry fee and $10 parking fee. D’Avanzo and Gentry heavily encourage carpooling. VIP tickets, which can be purchased at the event or before, cost $100 and offer multiple benefits, including priority parking and seating, entry, a meal and apparel. Ticket details were posted on instagram.

The idea of Fight Night began near the beginning of 2022, when Gentry was at D'Avanzo's house and said he’d like to organize a boxing event.

“Everyone laughed at me in the house except for Jake,” Gentry said.

“I said, ‘Let’s do it,’” D’Avanzo added.

The two students began brainstorming and were able to secure Rocky Top Excavation as their sponsor. They created a team of organizers, See FIGHT NIGHT on page 2

Kari Shultz, the ever-present director of student life and activities who has held the position since its inception, is retiring after 24 years at Southern Adventist University. In an interview with the Accent, Shultz said her experience has been an adventure, and she has loved every step of the journey — the highs and the lows.

Shultz first interviewed for a Southern position in 1993. She had always wanted to be a dean, and the job she applied for was in Thatcher Hall. Though she didn’t get that particular position, Bill Wohlers, vice president of Student Services at the time, didn’t forget her, and six years later told her about a Southern position he thought she should apply for. Shultz said she turned in one of 40

See KARI SHULTZ on page 3