Super Bowl Party Scores On USS Harry S Truman

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, at sea (NNS) -- The Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) hosted a Super Bowl party for Sailors and Marines Feb. 6.

Super Bowl XLV, featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers, was played on a big-screen projector in Hanger Bay Two providing a relaxing evening for the crew.

"Events like the Super Bowl party give the crew a chance to enjoy the parts of their lives not necessarily associated with their Navy lives while underway," said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AW/SW) Thomas Kask. "When MWR and the rest of the Supply team have an event like this, we like to provide as much of an opportunity for recreation as we can; to make this not just a place where we live, but to make it our home."

MWR, along with Truman's Food Service Department provided a special "surf-and-turf" dinner and a variety of pre-Super Bowl events to get Sailors ready for the big game.

"We are making an effort to entertain the crew," said Truman's "Fit Boss" Nathan Owen, MWR representative. "These events boost morale by keeping the crew active and giving them the chance to win some great prizes."

Before the game, Sailors and Marines had the opportunity to compete in several football-related competitions leading up to the Super Bowl. Events included a football training-camp skills challenge, a quarterback challenge and touchdown-celebration contest.

"We wanted to challenge the crew's skills in many different kinds of football drills," said Owen. "It gets their mind off work for a few hours and it is something different than what they would do normally in their workouts on the ship."

"Any attempt to boost morale for the crew is always a plus," said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class David Chagnon. "I feel like the ship does a great job giving us opportunities to boost morale."

MWR also hosted a Madden 2011 tournament, in which 16 crew members competed against each other in the video game. Operations Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Jacob Bell was crowned Madden champion and walked away with the $100 grand prize.

"It feels good to be champion," said Bell. "I have never won a Madden tournament before and I had to beat a lot of good players along the way."

Truman Sailors look to make the most out being underway during the National Football League's biggest game of the year.

"Being out to sea during the Super Bowl isn't too bad as long as I get to watch the game and have some good food," said Chagnon.

Green Bay won the game 31-25, as the Steelers came short of winning a record 7th Super Bowl.

Truman's MWR proves once again that, even while underway, the crew can still partake in quality entertainment.

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn75/.