To most people, they are known as the Bingo Girls. To the Student Union Board, they are Late Night chairs, and there is more to hosting bingo nights than meets the eye.

Elon sophomores Alecks Mantell and Allison Bell are the faces of late-night bingo events hosted by SUB. Bingo nights are characterized by scoreboards, sought-after prizes and community felt outside of those events.

Bingo Girl is not Mantell or Bell’s formal title. In SUB, they are known as co-Late Night chairs. Through their roles, they host the bingo nights, calling the numbers and introducing prizes.

Even before they became Late Night chairs, Mantell said they were entranced by their predecessors as far back as orientation, watching them host.

“I was like, ‘Wow, that looks like so much fun. I want to be up there. That’s gonna be me, guys,’” Mantell said.

To become a Late Night chair, there was an interview process like any other job.

However, there’s more than just presentation and flair involved in preparations for the job. Bingo nights take a lot of behind-the-scenes planning, especially when it comes to the prizes.

“We have to think about budget, and we also have to think about gender neutral things and different kinds of audiences,” Bell said.

Being a Bingo Girl also lasts beyond the late nights, as their titles blend into their social lives on campus.

“I feel like a celebrity sometimes,” Mantell said. “I am constantly recognized.”

Bell shares the same sentiment.

“Throughout the events, people get to know you and see what you do,” Bell said. “It's kind of just something really cool to feel that people know you.”

Mantell gave tips for aspiring Bingo Girls, encouraging them to get involved before applying.

“Just go to a general body meeting,” Mantell said. “We have them on Wednesdays, and you can come and kind of see what we’re all about before you apply.” 

Bell and Mantell both quickly debunked the myth that bingo nights are rigged, stating that the games are not.

“I’m breaking down the myth,” Bell said. “I hate to tell you guys that we don’t. The games aren’t rigged.”

SUB general body meetings are every Wednesday from 5 to 6 p.m. in Moseley 216. The next SUB bingo night is Oct. 1 at 9 p.m. in McKinnon.