The Best Night of the Year

By Scotty Doyle Last updated Apr 5, 2024

Last year’s banquet was a massive success with both locals and students enjoying the food and atmosphere. PHOTO CREDIT: PATRICK CHASE ’25

It’s a quiet Friday night in April just outside of Canton. The stars are out, the fields are quiet, and the cows are asleep.

All the barns and farmhouses are quiet. All except one: The White Silo.

Here, the metal walls are shaking with laughter, chatter, and all the sounds of a good time.

St. Lawrence University students and locals alike are gathered for a night of good food, great prizes, and talk of all things hunting and conservation.

This is the Sportsman’s Night Out banquet.

“It’s just a great night, really. It feels more like a night out with friends than a fancy banquet,” said Nate Serlin ’24, former President of SLU Ducks Unlimited.

“And at the end of the day, it’s really about the people, and this event draws the best people,” he said. The banquet will be on April 12 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The White Silo at the Saphead Complex.

“This event raises money for Ducks Unlimited, the organization; we don’t see a penny of this money,” said Serlin. “It’s a fundraiser, so every dollar spent is going towards DU, who then turns that money into wetland conservation.”

Part of the fundraiser is a slew of raffle prizes comprised of both donated items and items purchased by the club for the event.

“They are mostly tailored towards hunters and outdoorsman, but there are prizes for everyone. We have paintings, kitchenware, drinkware, guns, decoys, it’s a nice variety.” Serlin explained. Accompanying the prizes will be freshly made BBQ catered by Fobares Famous BBQ, and plenty of beer and drinks for everyone.“It’s good food, good people, some great prizes, it really is my favorite night of the year,” Serlin remarked.

Last year, the banquet raked in just over $20,000, an impressive amount for such a small chapter.

“I think we can hit over that this year,” new co-chair Patrick Chase ’25 said. “If we raise $25,000, we get shouted out by the national organization, that’s the goal,” he said.

This year’s banquet marks a significant moment in SLU DU recent history, as it will be the last banquet of Serlin’s influential career as President, and first for new President Scott Doyle ’26 and Co-Chair Chase.

“It’s been a crazy ride, that’s for sure, and I wouldn’t want to leave this club in the hands of anyone else,” Serlin said.

This year’s banquet is set up to be even better than last year, so, as the new President of SLU DU, I invite you not to miss out on this awesome event, and I hope to see you there! For the ducks!