Angela Salinas / The Collegian
The kinesiology department celebrated Fresno State’s birthday walking 100 miles to honor their faculty, students, staff and alumni.
Participants marched in the Homecoming Parade which went throughout campus.
Without a float or cars to drive in, the group was a unique addition to the parade.
The Kinesiology Walk of the Century involved 35 people walking the parade route. Each contributor’s walking distance was added up to create the 100 miles.
“One of the initial goals of this was to make 100 miles and we weren’t sure if we’d make it,” said Associate Professor and coordinator of the event Scott Sailor. “We had 35 people walking and the parade route was about 3.4 miles so that was right at 100 miles.”
In order to achieve the 100-mile goal, the kinesiology department needed walkers, so they approached some of the clubs in the department and found some students willing to walk along with them.
“I’m in this department because I love it,” said kinesiology and athletic training major Megan Nelson. “I want to show my support for all of the alumni.”
Though walking 100 miles was the initial goal, it wasn’t the only thing that the kinesiology department did. In preparation for the event, faculty went to the archives in the library and sifted through the materials of Fresno State’s history compiling the names of faculty members that have taught in their department for the last 100 years. Those names were then separated into 25-year segments and put on four signs that were carried during the parade.
Many staff and faculty members enjoyed the historical aspect of their involvement in the parade.
“We learned so much,” said Director of Development for the College of Health and Human Services Dana Lucka. “The College of Health and Human Services and Kinesiology is one of the oldest at Fresno State. We found a health and hygiene class that was here in 1912.”
At first the kinesiology department thought of celebrating their history and past 100 years in different ways, even considering a golf tournament and other active ideas. The department wanted something that more people could participate in and decided on the walk.
Sailor said they were thinking of creating their own path and using their own facilities. Instead they decided it would be better to participate in the parade during homecoming weekend. This was to encourage alumni to attend the parade.
No float building or riding in cars was necessary for the kinesiology department and the College of Health and Human Services to participate in the Homecoming Parade. Instead of a float, they were the main attraction, walking the stretch on foot and showing their devotion for their department, alumni, faculty and history.
The Homecoming Parade route started near the Save Mart Center continued to Barstow Ave., followed onto the Fresno State campus and disbanding near the Peace Garden and tailgating area. The parade lasted approximately an hour and a half, and involved many other participants celebrating Fresno State’s Centennial.