When it comes to sporting events on campus, the game is just apart of the fun. Three programs come together to create a free tailgate to show support to the football players at their game this Saturday against San Diego Mesa College.
Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOP&S), UMOJA and Associated Students Organization (ASO) collaborated to create an event that allows students, staff and the community to enjoy themselves, but also get information about the different programs they are a part of.
Each program had an idea in mind and collaborated in efforts to create a bigger event, according to Student Engagement Coordinator and Counselor Lara Conrady Wong.
The tailgate and game are free for students and employees because it is being sponsored by ASO. EOP&S and UOMJA are going to raffle off items at the game. In order to participate in the raffle, you must stop by their booths prior to the game and get a ticket.
They coordinated with the coaches and Moriah Van Norman, athletic director, to have to giveaways during halftime.
“It’s been great working with the new athletic director on this. She’s helped us with finding a good location and making it free admission,” Wong said.
Van Norman sees this as a great opportunity for the football players to see the support from people on campus.
“It’s good for the community, the staff, students and our players to have events like this,” Van Norman said. “Football is a great place to start and I can’t wait to see the crowd.”
“We all came up with a tailgate we would host together versus doing tailgates [apart],” Wong said. “We thought we would do one really big awesome one together. Just to show our support for students.”
Latice Gutavis, student services assistant in EOP&S, hopes for people to have fun and learn about each other.
“We want students to come out, to get involved. The major goal for me is for EOPS students to be involved and for them to talk to staff,” Gustavis said. “Not necessarily about academics, but on a personal level, outside of academia.”
Each group involved has a separate goal but overall wants to support the athletes on campus and bring awareness to what they offer.
Vice President of ASO Isha Pasricha wants students and their friends and family to feel safe and welcome on campus.
“One of my mentees is an athlete and as a mentor, I am concerned if he is enjoying it here and if his family is comfortable enough to come to his games,” Pasricha said. “So I feel having a tailgate is going to be successful.”
Gustavis said they are hoping to have more collaborated events in the future. They are looking at more football games, basketball and baseball as well.
“We definitely have looked at other sports and we’re looking at spring. We are trying to be strategic with finding out what type of sports and activities that EOPS and UMOJA students are interested in.” Gustavis said. “ASO, of course, reaches out to all students. But in particular, we are trying to figure out what other types of sports that UMOJA students, are interested in.”
The tailgate starts at 5:00 p.m. in front of the football stadium prior to the game. Food and drinks will be available and provided by ASO. Football is such a big part of American life, they take it very seriously and are dedicated to the sport throughout the season. These athletes get to play in some of the best stadiums built out there, such as the MetLife Stadium home to the New York Giants and the New York Jets. Looking at https://stadiumjourney.com/stadiums/metlife-stadium-s62 will inform you about stadiums such as these and maybe one day these student-athletes will get the chance themselves to play where their heroes play.
