Bronco Week Leads the Stampede

Campus pep ramps up to upcoming basketball game

John FlynnTHE SANTA CLARAFebruary 5, 2015

[dropcap]E[/dropcap]very year, Santa Clara hosts the big game against longtime rival Gonzaga University,  but attending the spirit-centric match without some preparation is like Yannick Atanga taking the court without stretching.

The student body needs to build up its energy and get its spirited blood flowing. In order to do just this, the Associated Student Government hosts Bronco Week, an annual celebration of Bronco pride.

“Bronco Week is like Santa Clara’s version of a homecoming week,” said Alana Hinkston, ASG’s public relations vice president. “But, since we don’t have a football team, it’s a basketball homecoming.”

Last year, Santa Clara and Gonzaga gave a thrilling show that     provoked an insatiable round of rowdiness from students. The agenda before this year’s big game is stacked like an IHOP breakfast.

On Tuesday, the Activities Programming Board brought a petting zoo to Graham Lawn. For one day, students were allowed to caress the rarely felt pelts of animals like ducks, rabbits and alpacas.

“I love the petting zoos on campus because it’s a good distraction from stress, and the goats are delightfully awkward,” said small animal enthusiast, junior Courtney Griffith. “They crack me up.”

Bronco Idol took place on Tuesday night. Among the most even-handed singing competitions ever conceived, each contestant works with the same material: the Santa Clara fight song. Competing groups repurposed and performed the anthem into snazzy, original renditions in front of a diverse panel of judges that awarded a $500 first prize.

On Wednesday, the Alumni Association and Philanthropy Committee sponsored a campus-wide scavenger hunt. In addition to offering an opportunity to explore the crevices of campus, the prizes were nothing to scoff at.

“Last year, I won a blanket, and it was one of those $40 ones,” said Hinkston. “I use it all the time.”

At night, the adventures continued with the first annual Into The Campus, an overnight campout in Mission Gardens sponsored by the Associated Student Government and the outdoor enthusiasts of Into the Wild. At this slumber party, there were games, food and an acoustic concert starring student performers.

“This isn’t something Into The Wild usually does,” said John Strong, the organization’s leader-in-training. “But other schools have fun before big games, so we decided we should, too.”

Tonight is basketball night. Supported by our campus’ rambunctious fans, the team always gives one of the year’s best efforts.

The Leavey Center will be a sweaty madhouse packed with all ages of Broncos strung out on adrenaline and pulling hard for another outcome worthy of a torched living room piece.

Tomorrow, the week closes on a note of unity with Gay and Straight People for the Education of Diversity’s Rainbow Prom.

“Rainbow Prom is one of two events on campus for queer students,” said junior Glen Bradley. “It’s a time and place for us to feel comfortable with who we are and celebrate our identity. It gives us a sense of belonging in the university.”

The inclusive bonanza aspires to be “the prom you wish you had in high school” and will feature a live DJ, mocktails and a photo booth.

Bronco Week is a boost over the mid-quarter hump and motivates students’ futures with memories of their past.

“I’m one of those nerdy, geeky kids who loved homecoming in high school. I literally lived for it,” said Hinkston. “When you go to college, that kind of element disappears and it’s really cool of Bronco Week to bring that back.”

Contact John Flynn at jfflynn@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.