SRC offers Airmen NFL Sunday Ticket, XBOX 360s, WI-FI

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Airmen now have a new place to relax, meet with friends and enjoy free entertainment; the Solid Rock Café.

The purpose of the SRC, located in the same building as the Southern Eagle Dining Facility, is to give Airmen a quality place on base to spend their off-duty time.

"We believe the SRC will positively affect quality of life for our Airmen and mitigate disciplinary statistics by providing fun and attractive options to other choices that too often lead to trouble," said Chaplain (Capt.) Thomas Baize, 4th Fighter Wing chaplain. "Airmen need on-base (entertainment) options as many do not have cars. I believe the key to reducing some negative behavior is not just warning them of consequences, but providing alternatives that are of sufficient quality to gain young people's genuine interest. Our goal is to provide entertainment quality they cannot get other places or in the dorms. Our best example of that is our theater room which provides a seven-foot, high-definition screen for football games and Blu-Ray movies."

The SRC has four 50-inch HDTVs, access to DirecTV and the NFL Sunday Ticket to round out the café's football party offerings. In addition, the gaming room has three 32-inch screens and networked XBOX 360s. There are also computers with Internet access, WI-FI, pool, ping-pong, foosball, air hockey tables and movies.

The café is a great place for groups, events and parties, Chaplain Baize said. "I challenge (Airmen) to simply take a look. I have found that the SRC sells itself once a person takes the time to check it out. I expect our new WI-FI to be a major reason people will want to come out."

The chapel staff and their volunteers took the lead in re-opening the café in October as a place Airmen could watch Sunday NFL games.

"Since October other volunteers have stepped forward, and we now provide a schedule of Monday through Thursday from 5:30-9 p.m., Friday from 5:30-11 p.m. and Sundays from 1-7:30 p.m.," said Chaplain Baize. "We hope to find volunteers to staff Saturday soon."

The SRC is growing, and it is a good place for Airmen to pass their idle time, said retired Master Sgt. Donald Scott, SRC volunteer. "If you are looking for an atmosphere that you can watch sports or a movie, or even a place to relax and chill-out, this is the place. Get out of your room, come play some pool."

While the chapel staff is responsible for running the SRC, Chaplain Baize wants Airmen to realize the café is not a religious operation.

"The Chapel has taken the lead in getting the SRC open, but this is a base-wide operation and non-chapel volunteers are stepping forward," he said. "The SRC focuses on entertainment and quality of life for our Airmen. The chapel is partnered together with leaders across the base because we care about people; religious or not."

For more information about the SRC, call Chaplain Baize at 722-3719.