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<td width="343" valign="bottom"><p class="date"><!-- InstanceBeginEditable name="date" --><a href="default.html">10/20/03 • Vol.
127, No. 24</a><!-- InstanceEndEditable --></p></td>
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<h1>As Seen On TV: Homecoming a reality</h1>
<p class="byline">By Eisa Al Nashmi</p>
<p>People seem to be so intrigued when they watch a man dating 30 women
at once or when they see a bunch of people living on a deserted island
and doing whatever it takes to win a million dollars.</p>
<p> This reality TV phenomenon is increasing in popularity, so it is no
surprise that this year’s Homecoming theme is “As Seen on TV.”</p>
<p> “
Not only are reality TV shows the biggest thing on TV; but Fresno State
football games can also be seen on TV,” said Michael Horta, director
of Homecoming.</p>
<p> Since Homecoming is a week of fun events leading to the football game
Saturday, Horta said this was the most appropriate theme because it linked
the football game with the events that are related to reality TV shows.</p>
<p> Horta, along with 25 students, came up with games that incorporated
aspects of popular reality TV shows. But don’t get too excited, because
the games are not based on the major reality shows like “The Bachelor” or “Survivor.”</p>
<p> The main goal behind Homecoming is to promote spirit and for students
to show Fresno State Pride, so Horta and his team came up with a quiz
show consisting of Fresno State trivia questions called “Who Wants
To Be The Ultimate Bulldog.” The theme of the game is taken from
a combination of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and “Weakest
Link.” </p>
<p> “
The game will test the contestants’ knowledge on Fresno State and
at the same time will show school spirit,” Horta said.</p>
<p> In its more popular days, “Who Wants To Be a Millionaire” was
hosted by Regis Philbin, but KMPH’s weather man, Kopi Sotiropulos,
will host “Who Wants To Be The Ultimate Bulldog,” in which
eight students compete for a Bulldogs prize package. Horta said six contestants
were pre-selected and the remaining two will be the first students who
volunteer.</p>
<p> “
Say What Karaoke,” adapted from the MTV program, will also be one
of the reality-based games.</p>
<p> Horta said 10 students, five of whom are pre-selected, will compete
in a karaoke contest judged by students.</p>
<p> Mandi Quinonez, director of USU Productions, thought having a door-decorating
contest for students living in the dorms would be another way to get
more students involved and show school spirit.</p>
<p> “
This event is for shy people who want to be involved in Homecoming, but
don’t want to be in events like ‘Say What Karaoke,’ ” Quinonez
said.</p>
<p> Quinonez said the contestants will be judged on the adherence to the
Homecoming theme, originality and creativity, overall impression, and
other rules. The contest will be judged on Tuesday at the residents’ hall
and the winners get a pizza party for 10 people.</p>
<p> Thomas Gaffery, chair pro-tem of the USU board of directors, said he
wanted to join the Homecoming committee to get some fun experience
and because he thought the committee needed help.</p>
<p> “
You can always use more hands to get things done,” he said.</p>
<p> This year, Gaffery is coordinating the opening ceremony, which will
be held today at the Memorial Garden at noon.</p>
<p> With the B95 radio station hosting the opening ceremony, students should
expect many surprises and fun activities, Gaffery said.</p>
<p> President Welty will give a speech, the cheerleaders and Timeout will
perform, and there will be gift bags for everyone, Gaffery said.</p>
<p> Gaffery said the most exciting part of the opening ceremony will be
the mini-bike race between President Welty and the the university’s
vice presidents. The mini-bike race tradition started last year.</p>
<p> This year’s Homecoming will also give students a chance to have
a sneak peak at the Save Mart Center before the grand opening Oct. 27. </p>
<p> Students can tour the Save Mart Center, where they can explore all
the building’s facilities.</p>
<p> “
What makes this Homecoming so special is that it’s coupled with
the opening of the Save Mart Center,” Gaffery said.</p>
<p> Homecoming is an event for students to come together and have fun,
so Horta and his team made sure all the activities would attract students.
They walked around campus and asked students if they would be interested
in such games, and they tested their games to see if they were appropriate.</p>
<p> Horta said most of the events on campus are aimed at certain people
or organizations, but Homecoming is for everyone, including the faculty,
alumni and community.</p>
<p> “
It’s a place for everyone to come together, have a great time and
not be segregated into groups or organizations,” Horta said.</p>
<p> With all the extensive promotion and advertising, Horta expects more
students to be involved.</p>
<p> “
I just want students to show pride in their school by participating in
this event and wearing school colors,” he said.</p>
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