Student Becomes Merrimack "Survivor"

Irvin Co ‘11, a 20-year old finance major at Merrimack, recently beat out 20 other students to be named the Merrimack Survivor. He also won $500.

Based on the hit television show “Survivor”, three tribes of seven students participated in “immunity” and “endurance” challenges including eating a unique “breakfast” consisting of sticks of butter and octopus, or physical challenges testing both strength and agility. Merrimack’s Office of Student Activities organized the event.

“The most difficult challenge for me was definitely the endurance challenge that took place at about 6 a.m. on Sunday morning,” said Irvin. “They had us stand on a wooden block with one leg while holding weights and they would gradually increase the weights at a certain period of time while replaying the same song (Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer) over and over again.”

Participants spent the entire weekend with their tribes in the Multipurpose Room in the Sakowich Campus Center, camping out and strategizing on next moves.

Irvin was the lucky winner in the end. “When I found out I had won, it felt really great and I felt relieved that it was over and I could finally eat something decent and shower!”

Click here to view the Merrimack Survivor Facebook page which includes photos and YouTube videos.