SMSU Winter Meltdown 2026 is Jan. 20-24

Published Saturday, January 17, 2026

Winter Meltdown 2026 Graphic

Southwest Minnesota State University will celebrate Winter Meltdown with a series of events the week of Jan. 20-24, 2026. Winter Meltdown is an annual SMSU tradition, a time for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to participate in fun activities to help beat the ‘winter blues.’

Throughout the week, the SMSU Student Activities Committee (SAC) has planned events for students with this year’s theme, “Snowed-In Stampede.”

The week culminates with events on Saturday, Jan. 24 that include the Athletics Hall of Honor program at 11:00am in the SMSU Conference Center Upper Level, with a short social starting at 10:30am. The traditional Tropical Night basketball doubleheader against Minnesota Crookston endcaps the week’s line-up. The Mustang women’s basketball game starts at 5:00pm. The men’s basketball game tips off at 7:00pm in the R/A Facility at SMSU.

The full line-up includes:

Monday, Jan 19:

MLK Day (No School)

Tuesday, Jan 20:

SAC presents Shaved Ice & Crafts, 11:00am - 2:00pm, Upper SC

Wednesday, Jan 21:

SAC presents Grocery Bingo, 7:00-8:00pm, Upper SC

Thursday, Jan 22:

SAC presents Karaoke Night, 7:00-8:00pm, Upper SC

Friday, Jan 23:

SAC presents Tropical Stuff-a-Critter, 11:00am - 2:00pm, Upper SC
Women’s Basketball at 5:30pm vs. MSU Moorhead, R/A Facility
Women’s Swimming and Diving vs. Northern State, 6:00pm, Don Palm Natatorium
Men’s Basketball at 7:30pm vs. MSU Moorhead, R/A Facility

Saturday, Jan 24:

SMSU Athletics presents the Hall of Honor Induction ceremony, 10:30am social/11:00am brunch and ceremony, Conference Center Upper Level
SMSU Alumni Association will host the Tropical Night Alumni Social 3:30-5:00pm in the R/A Facility. Alumni who RSVP get a free ticket to both the Women’s and Men’s basketball games. www.SMSUAlumni.com
SAC presents Polaroid Pics at the Tropical Night Game, 5:00-9:00pm, R/A Facility
Women’s Basketball 5:00pm, Men’s Basketball 7:00pm, vs. Minnesota Crookston, R/A Facility

For questions and information contact the Student Activities Committee at SMSU.SAC@SMSU.edu. The SAC advisor, Ashton.Ayres@SMSU.edu Visit: www.SMSU.edu/go/meltdown