Homecoming Week rejuvenates school spirit

Events, games culminate in Saturday's home football game

By Sylas Wright

It’s Fresno State’s homecoming, outdoor events are scheduled throughout the week and no piddling rainstorms are preventing USU Productions members from carrying on with the show.

Organizers of Tuesday’s pumpkin carving contest, held on the patio of the University Student Union, took advantage of the sheltering overhang by scooting the competition under its cover.

Danny Salas, a 2001 Fresno State graduate and B95 D.J., shared the dry space—along with his radio posse—while musically entertaining the few students shuffling by with umbrellas.

“I’m just trying to hype people up and recruit,” Salas said in between his mobilizing efforts. “I had to interrupt everyone studying in [the University Student Union] to try to get people out here to carve pumpkins.”

USU program adviser Kristie Godfrey said today’s karaoke competition, scheduled for noon in the Pit, will be moved to the Pavilion if it rains. She hopes that by Thursday the weather will be clear for the band “Jungkshen” to perform in the Pit.

Godfrey thinks the essence of homecoming has lost its luster and could use a boost.

“I think there’s a lot of apathy these days,” she said, “so we’re trying to get students involved and to take pride in their school. Homecoming is about promoting school spirit and getting students involved.”

Amelia Herrera, the director of USU Productions and a Fresno State student, also believes in the importance of homecoming and school spirit.

“Homecoming is about unity,” said Herrera, an English and Latin American studies major. “It’s a way to bring the college campus together to join in and be proud of their school.”

Salas is proud of his former school.

“I graduated from Fresno State,” he said, “so I feel that this is one of the most important things for us to do. This is my town, my city, my school. We (B95) consider this our college.”

On Friday, Salas and B95 will be on campus again, this time for the pep rally at noon in the Pit. The goal of the pep rally is to fire students up for Saturday’s football game against Southern Methodist University.

If not fully fired up by Saturday, cheerleaders and the Bulldog Marching Band will be on hand at the annual Fresno State Alumni Association Homecoming Tailgate from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Beiden Field.

There are more activities this week as well, and event schedules are available in the University Student Union.