World record attempt is 'ready, set, glow'

The Dal community is always up for a challenge. So why not a world record?

On Wednesday, September 7, Dal will try and break the Guinness World Record for the largest glow stick design by spelling out (what else) ‘DAL’ at the kickoff rugby game of the season against SMU.

The exhibition match is set for 8 p.m. on Wickwire field and organizers are hoping to get the glow stick challenge underway at halftime. The current record is held by Université Laval’s chemistry department, whose 308 chemists spelled out ‘H2O’ as part of its annual Expo-Sciences event.

Josh Gummett, an orientation week committee member and co-lead of the glow stick challenge, says he’s hoping to break the 308 person record by a landslide.

“I’m an optimist so I’m hoping for 1,000 people,” he laughs. “There’s 295 frosh, plus their leaders, plus returning students, staff, faculty, and alumni. I’m hoping it won’t be that hard.”

1,500 glow sticks, one record

Mr. Gummett, a third year math student at Dal who you may recognize from the "See You In September" video, began brainstorming for potential world records to break in May. He thought the glow stick challenge would be suitable for Dal students.

“I looked through the Guinness World Record books and thought the glow stick design challenge looked easily breakable, relatable, and just plain fun!”

After discussing it with other committee members, Mr. Gummett purchased 1,500 cracking glow sticks from an online wholesaler and began working through the logistics. As it turns out, breaking records is harder than it sounds.

Glowing spirit

First, Mr. Gummett and Jamie Arron, DSU vice-president student life, had to find public notaries, witnesses and adjudicators to attend the event and ensure the release form signatures are authentic. Prior to signing release forms, participants require a photo I.D to prove their identity.

Second, Guinness World Records requires several photos, videotape, and log books to guarantee the image of the design isn’t altered or photoshopped. The image must be taken from a high rise building to capture the size and participants are asked to stand inside the design drawn on my chalk in the rugby field.

Despite all the hoops, Mr. Gummett in excited for the chance to break a world record while demonstrating school spirit at the same time.

“My goal is for frosh to walk away feel a huge sense of school pride and saying, ‘Wow, I’ve only been here four days and I’ve helped to break a world record!’”