ll hosting a Super Bowl-themed dinner, the residence halls hosting parties or businesses across Charleston opening doors and turning on the TV, Eastern’s community will be dipping its toes in the Super Bowl hype as the nation gears up for Super Bowl LIII on Sunday.

But, some students share what they are looking forward to on Sunday, and it is not the game.

Kick-off is at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, and Kelly McCasland, a junior family and consumer sciences major, said she is going to be more interested in the commercials than the actual game.

“I really love the commercials,” McCasland said. “If the (Chicago) Bears were in it, I would really be watching the game.”

McCasland said she will most likely watch the game at home to avoid going out in the cold weather rather than go to a restaurant or bar.

Junior English major Austin Mariani said he is unsure whether or not he will watch the game, and if he does, it will not be for the football.

“I’m not really into football—it’s just not a sport I am interested in—but I like the commercials,” he said.

Freshman psychology major Karen Gonski said she is also watching the Super Bowl for the advertisements.

“I think the Dorito commercials are the best,” Gonski said. “They are always the most sarcastic and funny; they are funnier than the typical joke.”

Gonski and Alyssa Bitner, a freshman communication disorders and sciences major, both said they were most excited for the halftime show with pop band Maroon 5, rapper Travis Scott and rapper Big Boi.

James Williams, an Eastern University Police Officer, said he was excited for the game despite not wanting to root for either team.

“I don’t like either team,” he said, “but (the game) is a spectacle, so I have to participate. Between the two, I’ll probably go with the (Los Angeles) Rams.”

Williams said he would rather root for the Rams because he is “Brady’d out” and would like to see a change in future Super Bowl games.

As for the halftime performance, Williams said that is always an interesting part of the Super Bowl to watch.

“I don’t know much about Maroon 5,” he said, “but I know the halftime shows are always a spectacle, so I’ll be excited to see what they come up with.”

While he has no definite plans yet, Williams said attending a Super Bowl party is still a possibility.

“I haven’t gotten any offers for parties yet,” he said. “Right now, it’s looking like Scotty’s Brewhouse or Buffalo Wild Wings in Mattoon.”

Overall, Williams said he hopes everyone enjoys the turnout of the game.

“Have fun,” he said. “Everybody be safe.”

Hannah Shillo can be reached at 581-2812 or hlshillo@eiu.edu.