Bronco Bash invites all to night of spirit

By Alison Fleck

For the first time since Santa Clara football days, every athletic team will be in the Leavey Center Friday night igniting students, fans and alumni during the Bronco Bash.

Hosted by the Ruff Riders and the Student Academic Athletic Committee, event organizers hope to kick-off an annual tradition with skits, competitions, music and fun.

Mike Zozos, co-president of Ruff Riders, explained how this event is not just for athletes.

"The Bronco Bash is a very large pep-rally for the entire student body to get school spirit pumping back throughout our school," Zozos said. "We want people to be proud to be aBronco."

The university has already made attempts to increase school spirit by bringing back the fight song and redesigning a new Bronco logo.

But neither, critics say, have fostered much change.

The Bash, however, hopes to increase spirit by having non-stop activities and entertainment. Athletes from every team will be involved, whether they are performing dances, running relay races or participating in chicken-eating competitions.

The Residential Learning Communities will also be participating and trying their luck in a sumo-wrestling tournament. Fans in attendance have the opportunity to participate in the many contests that will be offered.

Ryan Chiarelli, president of SAAC, wants Santa Clara students to experience something similar to other schools' "Midnight Madness" events.

"Hopefully lots of people will come," Chiarelli said. He says SAAC's goal for the year is to see an increase in attendance at every event.

Many school groups are sponsoring the event. Besides SAAC and the Ruff Riders, the Activities Program Board, Associated Students of Santa Clara University, the athletic department and the RLCs are all involved.

Funded with $1,200 from the Student Senate, the event is designed with the goal of not making a profit, but for helping students show school spirit.

Another goal is to bridge the gap between athletes and students. Zozos said that if fans can see athletes having fun and maybe even making fools of themselves, the fans can relate to them better.

"Students shouldn't be intimidated by athletes," Zozos said. "Basketball players might be a little taller, soccer players might be a little faster. But we all want school spirit."

The organizers will also be introducing the men's and women's basketball teams and congratulate the members of fall-season sports.

The public is invited to the Bash as well since it is a pep rally for all Bronco fans: students, families and friends. There will be a disc jockey and a local band following the women's volleyball match.

"Our goal is bring in between 500 to 750 fans," Chiarelli said. "Everyone wants school spirit and wants to support their teams. We just need an event that allows for this to happen. And hopefully this will not be a one-year thing."

The athletic department is enthusiastic about the Bash. They are not charging the students to rent Leavey Center and most of the department's staff hopes to attend. Athletic Director Dan Coonan will even be one of the judges for the skits.

After the Bash, two sporting events will take place on Sunday. The women's soccer team will play rival Portland at home and the women's volleyball team will play rival Pepperdine. Both games will be televised.

Zozos hopes to see as many Ruff Riders in attendance as possible.

"During the WCC Championship game last year, there was a sea of blue shirts sitting on the Gonzaga side," Zozos said. "It looked amazing. It looked intimidating. And it is something that I want to see here at Santa Clara."

Although the Bash's main goal is to increase school spirit, Chiarelli just wants to see the entire school unite together.

"I really encourage everyone to come," Chiarelli said. "I know it's a Friday night, but you know what, this is going to be a great event and parties can wait."

*Contact Alison Fleck at (408) 551-1918 or afleck@scu.edu.