Bronco popularity starting to grow

By Jane Muhlstein

The Bronco opened with great success last Jan. 11. With long lines streaming out the door, planners and students alike were enthusiastic about the future of the new venue, a collaborative effort of students, faculty and staff.

The honeymoon period did not last long. With the exception of several club-sponsored events and students popping in for late-night food, there are rarely more than 10 or 20 people in The Bronco, which has a capacity of 261.

Almost a year later, The Bronco receives somewhat mixed reviews from students. Although complaints remain, the lounge seems to be catching on.

The setting is an eclectic mix of knickknacks from the school's history and Santa Clara sports paraphernalia. On the ceiling, insulation and wires are exposed, giving the presentation of an industrial warehouse-type setting.

"The variety of programming, as well as the activities available in The Bronco, appeal to a cross-section of the student body," dean of Student Life and Leadership Jeanne Rosenberger said. It is a setting that allows students to meet and socialize with a more diverse group of people than they would while watching TV in their own residence hall, she added.

"When the Giants played there were so many people here. During the World Series games it was a really cool atmosphere," said sophomore Melissa Pellini. This sentiment leads many students to conclude that The Bronco does offer a sense of camaraderie among students while allowing students to enjoy each other's company in an environment unique to the Santa Clara campus.

"It's such a fun atmosphere. Every time I walk in I feel like I am off-campus," said senior Christine Burton.

In addition, bartenders and bouncers are all Santa Clara students, providing an added element of unity among students.

Walking in on a Sunday afternoon, one will undoubtedly see groups watching TV or playing ping pong and pool. There are often people working on laptops and maybe someone sprawled out reading on one of the couches.

"I come here to study a lot and there are always people playing games on the tables," Pellini said.

"I like the live music, but it's not a study atmosphere," says Sweetser. "It's a late night place; it doesn't exist to me during the day."

Pellini disagrees. "I like it because there's a lot of stimuli, but not enough to distract me," she said

One capacity in which The Bronco has become quite successful is as a venue for events of student clubs and organizations.

October's Awareness Week Kickoff Show, sponsored by GASPED, the organization of gay and straight people for the education of diversity, was one of the busiest nights in The Bronco's history. The show had The Bronco so full that some students ended up standing on chairs to see the stage.

"The drag show is so hilarious. I'm going to come every year," said Webster. "That was more a success of a club, but The Bronco was a great venue."

Other typical events are live Santa Clara bands, sitcom and sports game TV nights, dances, movie nights and athletics post-game parties sponsored by Ruff Riders.

In addition to serving as a social venue for students, The Bronco is an attempt to alleviate the ongoing tensions between students and area neighbors.

Chris Stampolis, Santa Clara alum and chair of both the City of Santa Clara Planning Commission and Citizens' Advisory Committee, hopes that "The Bronco at Santa Clara will improve life for students and the university-area neighborhoods by enticing students to enjoy their weekend evenings on campus."

This fall, students were welcomed back to The Bronco with new furniture and new paint colors, as a result of last year's feedback. Perfection. however, remains elusive.

"I'd really like it if it were a warmer, cozier, more inviting atmosphere with fireplaces and overstuffed chairs, like a cafe or coffeehouse," said sophomore Jocelyn Webster. "It would fit Santa Clara better."

A common sentiment among students is that many of The Bronco's features are also available in their residence halls and rooms.

"Everybody' s got TVs in their rooms and pool tables in their dorms. Nobody wants to make the walk for another TV," freshman Jeff Sweetser said.

Attendance at The Bronco has been boosted this fall by changes made in the university's food and beverage service. It has become the only facility for late-night dining, as the Mission Bakery now closes earlier and does not offer the same late-night menu. Resident students are also able to use the dining points from their meal plans to purchase food, a benefit they were not allowed last year.

These changes are credited greatly to four new marketing interns. Through The Bronco' s Marketing Internship Program, these students have conducted research into the opinions of undergraduate students regarding The Bronco and have helped to implement changes.