Campus briefs

Officials unprepared for large Ruff Rider crowd

An unprecedented number of student fans gathered outside the Gonzaga-Santa Clara game Monday night. And once the doors were opened, fans say, the loosely organized line became a chaotic mass of students in red shirts.

"It was like a mosh pit, swaying back and forth. They kept telling us to move back and no one would do it, so it was crazy," freshman Wes Lord said.

Over 1,000 students lined up at the Ruff Rider entrance to Leavey Center an hour before the doors were opened to the game, when normally about 750 show up.

"It's not a matter of having enough or more effective control. We never had that many show up so early," Associate Athletic Director Rich Kilwien said. "We've never had to deal with it."

The Ruff Riders organization has recently grown to 3,000 members and the Gonzaga game is considered one of the biggest games of the year.

According to the Athletic Department and Ruff Riders, steps are being taken to prevent a repeat occurrence at future big games. "It's in the works to fix the problem already," Michael Zozos, co-president of Ruff Riders, said. Plans include better line control, and expanded student seating.

"We learned a heck of a lot and we're looking forward to more games with more students, and a much easier and safer way to bring in students in the future," Athletic Director Dan Coonan said.

Officials could not comment if any students sustained injures.

Sun to hold campus presentation on computing

Sun Microsystems will be hosting an all day presentation at the School of Engineering design center computer lab on Jan. 27.

The morning session will begin at 9 a.m. and will focus on academic computing. The afternoon session begins at 2 p.m. and will discuss administrative computing.

Sun Microsystems is a computer networking company based out of Santa Clara. The event will take place in the mechanical engineering building, room 618.

Israeli Consul General to speak at Santa Clara in Bannan Hall

Israeli Consul General David Akov will speak regarding Israeli current events in Bannan Hall next week.

The event is sponsored by the International Law Students Association, and the Center for Global Law and Policy. For more information contact Charlene Powell at (408) 315-6059.

From staff reports. E-mail news@thesantaclara.com.