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Homecoming weekend includes
Alumni House ground breaking

by Tom Uribes

Packed with the glory of college spirit and tradition, Fresno State's 1998

Homecoming will break new ground - literally - when the campus community welcomes back Bulldog alumni this weekend.

Organizers promise "a fun-filled and eventful Homecoming weekend," not the least of which is the ground breaking on Saturday for the university's $1.9 million Smittcamp Alumni House.

"Homecoming means exactly what it says, and Fresno State wants its alumni, as well as its community, to know that we are ready to welcome everyone back to campus in a big way," said Josie Almeida, Alumni Association board member who is manager of the university's Student Financial Service Office.

The staffs of several campus offices have been busily preparing for Homecoming events, which begin Friday with an old-fashioned pep rally. Homecoming concludes Saturday night with the Bulldogs' first home football game versus the Wolf Pack of Nevada -providing the 1998 Homecoming theme: "If you can't run with the Bulldogs, stay in the pack!"

Campus offices involved in the planning include the Alumni Association, Student Activities, Athletics and the University Student Union as well as the student organization B.L.A.S.T. (Bulldog Life And Student Traditions), which was formed about four years ago.

The public is invited to the 2 p.m. ground breaking ceremony on Sept. 26 in Parking Lot V next to the Allergy Free Garden, southeast of the Joyal Administration Building. More than 5,000 invitations have been sent out, said Leticia Reyna, special projects assistant for the Alumni Association.

When finished -- by this time next year, if all goes as planned -- the two-story structure will provide Bulldog alumni a "home" complete with conference and reception rooms, gardens and alumni offices.

Earl and Muriel Smittcamp, who donated $1 million for the project, will join campus and community leaders in celebrating the first stage of this new campus landmark.

Friday's pep rally will be held on Bulldog Diamond, the old softball field east of the tennis courts off Cedar. A "car bash" at 5:30 p.m. will be followed by spirit competitions and a dinner at 6 p.m. Other rally highlights will include performances by the Fresno State cheerleaders and the Bulldog Beat, plus an appearance by the Bulldog football team at 8:30 p.m.

Thomas Keys, president of B.L.A.S.T., said the car bash is intended to help "ignite the Bulldog Spirit within the players, as well as the Red Wave." For a buck, bashers can get one swing at a car painted in the University of Nevada's colors to "have fun and get pumped up for the game."

The Strongest Man Competition at 6:30 p.m. will include a car pull, a weight carry, arm wrestling, a speed race, a rope climb and a throwing contest.

On game day, the Homecoming parade at 10 a.m. will feature community and campus bands, clubs and organizations. The parade has grown from one band, the Bulldog Marching Band, to nine bands from schools throughout the valley.

The procession lines up on Keats Avenue between the Music and Education Buildings and heads west to Barton, where it turns south. On Shaw, the parade proceeds to Cedar, turns north and proceeds to Barstow, turns back east and ends at the North Gym, where awards will be presented to the top three bands, as well as to floats and other entrants. Judges include three band directors from across the state.

After the afternoon ground breaking, Homecoming enthusiasts will trek across campus to Bulldog Diamond for the 4 p.m Homecoming Tailgate, where entertainment by the Alumni Band and door prizes will be provided. The self-service buffet will feature chicken and tri-tip, chili beans, rice pilaf, salads, cookies and a soft drink.

Tickets for Alumni Association members are $22 per person for a tailgate/game package or $10 for the tailgate only. For non-members, tickets are $24 or $12. For groups (six or more) and for students, the tailgate and game package is $21 per person and tailgate only is $9.

Tickets may be purchased in the Alumni Association Office in Keats Campus Building, Room 113, or ordered by phone with a credit card at Ext. 8-2586.

During halftime, the Bulldog Band will premiere its Frank Sinatra tribute, marching in drill on the field to the tunes "My Way," "Luck, Be a Lady," and "New York, New York."

The 1998 edition of the Bulldog Band features 189 members, the most in its history, reports Amy Wilkinson, secretary for Dr. Gary Gilroy, the director.

"We've been working on the halftime show since a week before school," she said. "Gary has been working on getting the parade bands since last January."

Kimberly Labosky (Athletics Marketing), said results of the pep rally competitions will be announced during halftime. Activities will conclude in the third quarter, when the 1998-99 Alumni Award of Excellence recipients are honored.

For more details on Fresno State Homecoming 1998, call Ext. 8-2078.