Homecoming 2011
Volunteers Contribute to a Successful Homecoming
Homecoming at Cal State Fullerton has quickly become an annual tradition with continued increases in student, parent, alumni and community participation. This year’s 4th Annual Homecoming exceeded 2010 numbers with more than 1,000 at the tailgate and nearly 2,400 at the basketball game. Including the 275 student tickets sponsored by Associated Students Inc., as well as record numbers of representatives from President’s Scholars and Greek Life, more than 600 students participated in Homecoming.
With the growing popularity of Homecoming, volunteer support is crucial to the success of this event. This year, more than 50 staff, alumni, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity students , Student Alumni Ambassadors and parent volunteers worked together to make Homecoming a fun-filled day for the Titan family. Many volunteers were delighted to be a part of festivities as they did not have the Homecoming tradition when they were students here.
First-time Homecoming volunteer, Cathie Allman ’05 & MA ’09, Program Director for the English Languages & Literatures Alumni Chapter said, “I loved volunteering for CSUF Homecoming. It helps to keep me connected to the University, and I got to experience this event that I never had a chance to when I was a student."
Another first-time volunteer, Therese Tibbits ’01, the Vice-President of Marketing & Events for the College of Education Chapter, volunteered with her daughter Hanna and reflected, “I volunteered for Homecoming to support CSUF and engage with the campus so I can keep connected and get back in touch with the vibrant students and families that make up CSUF. I was delighted to bring my High School daughter who wanted to experience the campus on a fun adventure like this. We enjoyed working together alongside other CSUF volunteers checking registrants in and handing out t-shirts and other goodies. We devoured the In-N-Out burgers and enjoyed the performances and fun vendors when our shift ended, too. CSUF always puts on a great party!”
Recent alumnus Don Villa ’09 volunteered in order to meet current students and alumni and to promote the Alumni Association. “I was able to meet current Finance students and the highlight that day was meeting President Gordon and Mrs. Gordon,” declared Don. “Being a Titan to me means being connected to a prestigious university that I am proud of.”
Staff volunteer Susan Cervantes from the University Advancement division enjoyed seeing the students and parents at the tailgate party. “I am an extremely proud Titan!” she exclaimed. Susan volunteered at the Alumni Association table and provided information about the programs and benefits offered to Association members. She said, “Talking to people before the game just made me smile the whole time.”
Dung Vu ’04, Business Finance Chapter Vice-President expressed, “Having never attended the Homecoming event at CSUF, I wanted to experience first-hand the Titan spirit by volunteering at the event. It was a great opportunity to chat with fellow passionate Titans from students to alumni who have traveled near and far to support the team. I even spoke to a family who was there visiting the school to see if their daughter may be interested in attending next year as a freshman. She was quite excited seeing the Titan spirit represented that evening. Once a Titan, always a Titan!”
Also volunteering that day was the new Titan Parents Advisory Board (TPAB). “The parent volunteers greeted attendees, answered questions and passed out over 100 Titan Parents buttons in order to promote the Board’s primary goal of partnering with parents to help students be successful,” said Serena Cline, Senior Coordinator for New Student Programs. “The opportunity to assist with Homecoming was a great way for Titan Parents to serve the community and gain visibility.”
As part of the day’s festivities, pre-game participants enjoyed spirited performances from the CSUF varsity band, cheer squad and National Championship dance team. The Salsa Club also spiced up the crowd with passionate dance numbers. Live music from Titan Radio, face-painting provided by Titan Tusk Force, a caricaturist (alumnus Tom Kelly ’76), balloon artist, basketball toss station and photo-booth (provided by current student Neil Angsuco) amused guests while they dined on In-N- Out burgers and unlimited Pepsi products. Interactive booths from GEICO, RockStar Energy Drinks and the Cal State Fullerton Alumni Association Student Alumni Ambassadors kept guests entertained throughout the afternoon. Tuffy Titan and the GEICO Gecko also made special appearances to the delight of adults and children alike.
Homecoming 2011 would not have been complete without the exhilarating game between the CSUF men’s basketball against UC Riverside. It was a game that came down to the wire with the final bucket made by UC Riverside with 3.8 seconds left to win the game 70-69. We’ll get them next year!
Homecoming 2011 was co-sponsored by Associated Students Inc., ASI Productions, Cal State Fullerton Alumni Association, GEICO, In-N-Out Burger, New Student Programs, OC Choice Catering, Titan Athletics, Titan Athletics Club, Titan Shops, Titan Tusk Force.
