National Dessert League 2010: A Year in Review

Campus Party House Feeling Desserted

(No pun intended…….ok pun intended)

It’s over. Finished. Done. Complete. The 1st annual tournament for the National Dessert League, under the direction of commissioner Shane Thompson, has come to an end. This exciting attraction has been making every Thursday night for the past 3 months extra magical…and extra tasty. “Now what will I do with my Thursday nights?!,” exclaimed avid fan, Scott Walker. “Depression is an understatement…I hate to see it go,” remarked a teary-eyed Sydney Zaugg. Cheer up dessert lovers! Let us not be down-trodden, but rather rejoice on that which was accomplished, and reflect on the happiness in which we enjoyed. This is why we bring to you, the official National Dessert League 2010: A Year in Review

But what does it all mean, Basil? Or rather, where did it all come from? The history behind this recent craze is legendary, to say the least. What started as a ploy to capture a date with a breathtaking beauty, ended as one of the greatest weekly raves in Utah State Campus history.

The year? 2004. Campus dreamboat, Shane Thompson was residing with five other roommates in the ever so famous Pineview Apartments. Living across the hall, were 6 humans of the opposite sex, which caught the eye of the entire male apartment. Thompson was terribly handsome, charming, funny, and smart…but he was also as shy as a young boy attending his first day of pre-school. His heart longed for his neighboring crush, (one of the 6 girls across the hall) Kylee Winzler. But how could he get to know her? That’s when inspiration struck. Dessert Night. “The whole point was to ask these girls to bake a dessert for a giant competition we would be having,” explained Shane, knowing that 6 freshman girls would never deny such a request. And, so it happened. Thompson created the Dessert Tournament, baked with his cronies week 1, and invited the neighbors to bake for week 2. Each week, the number of attendees grew exponentially. By the final Dessert Night, the line stretched from the highest floor in Pineview, down the stairs, and outside onto the sidewalk, as literally hundreds of starving students wished to try one of the culinary creations. The Dessert League circa 2004 was a success, on more than one count. The love story, you ask? Shane and Kylee are now married, and reside in Tuscon, Arizona.

The Transition: Wanting to keep the legend alive, but not wanting to do it himself, Shane Thompson planted his hopes and dreams into the young impressionable mind of cousin Colton Thompson. Pre-mission (2008) Colton lacked the desire and the means of re-creating such a hit. Post-mission (current day), when Thompson had an offer to move into the “Brick House,” the stars started aligning. Now with a location, a mentor, an ambition, and 3 of the best roommates in world history, Dessert Night could be resurrected. The only difference was that this go-round was not sparked by a young filly, (Colton has yet to catch an interest in girls) but simply the yearning to create something great for the students. “It’s all about other people, and their enjoyment,” Thompson reported when asked what motivated him to bring back the league. Young Colton may have made the voting posters, but none of it could have been done without the effort, brains, and talent of close friends Kyle Hardy, Casey Staley, Scott Walker, and Colten Richens. Week in and week out, Thompson delegated instructional duties to Walker, who gladly accepted the challenge. The host house was cleaned and prepared by Staley and Richens. Arguably the greatest contributor however, was Kyle Hardy who contributed in too many ways to number. Because of Hardy’s tenure at Utah State, he had connections, and a social network unprecedented for his era. Wide-eyed students flowed in, just to see their good pal Hardy. He also had many great ideas which were implemented into the league, MC’d when needed, and constantly made announcements that couldn’t have gone without. Thank you boys…Thank you.

Oh, It Has Its Ups and Downs: The format of the league/tournament was as follows: 8 teams. 8 weeks. Each team was granted a week to prepare any dessert that their hearts desired. On game day, said dessert was eaten by 60-100 students, and thereafter voted upon. The top 4 desserts made the playoffs, which were completed in tournament form.

There were emotional highs, and emotional lows throughout the year. Everyone who attended enjoyed the music, socializing, and flirting with the opposing gender…oh and of course, the treat that was prepared. Friends were made, fun was had, and records were set. The championship witnessed record crowds, and unbelievable creativity as Leslie Brown competed against the Old Farm Klan, consisting of Lexi Brimhall, Mindy Sullivan, and Hillery Halls. The closest head to head matchup in history ended with Leslie just nubbing Old Farm with a final score of 8.19 to 8.11. During Week 3, the highest average score ever recorded occurred. “Peanut Butter Perfection,” a creation led by the skills of Kampus Korner hero Carly Barker, was an instant hit. When the judges tallied up the final score, they couldn’t believe it. “Peanut Butter Perfection” racked up an average of 9.3, blowing the previous contenders scores of 7.1 and 7.3 out of the water.

Unfortunately there is opposition in all things, and Dessert Night was no exception. At times, there were so many wild, hungry students, that nobody could move inside the house. Other times, miscommunications were had on which team was preparing the dessert. The biggest scandal however, (which could go without saying) occurred during week 2 with some extra flirtatious girls. Although their “Ooooey Goooey Goodness” cookies were clearly burned, these gals, led by Julia Williams, somehow still came out with an average score that was higher than contenders from previous weeks. How? You do the math.

It’s Too Late to Apologize

We thank you, baking lovers. Hats off to you, culinary creators. Let us give you a hand, dessert enjoyers. Without the input, feedback, and willingness to participate of the Utah State student body, none of this would ever have happened. What’s next? Steak Season ’11? Appetizer Madness USU style? Logan Idol? You tell us.

Scott Walker and Ross Pickett look alike couldn't be happier

Campus Cuties pose for a snapshotN