Author: Lizeth Castillo
For homecoming weekend, Oxy hosted several on-campus events including the Glee Club Concert from “The Accidentals” and “Cadence,” a homecoming parade where various sport groups rode through the quad in personalized floats, the Oxy Nonfire – with s’mores, board games, free food and snacks, music provided by KOXY, and a warm fire – and the yearly Homecoming dance.
On Saturday’s homecoming game against the Whittier Poets, the stands were so full that many Oxy students had to sit in the visitor seating sections. Every non-Whittier fan had a huge smile across his or her face as the Tigers crushed the Poets. Oxy alumni were especially happy to see Oxy’s football legend continue.
“It feels great to be back at Oxy and watch our team trample the Poets, especially because they beat us 54-6 my senior year,” Joe “Sky Dood” Johnson ’50, who played Quarterback in the first half of the 1949 Raison Bowl, said.
“We hope that Oxy’s most recent team will also leave a national mark in collegiate football and carry on in history,” John Cambell ’50, who played End in the Raison Bowl, said.
“The most fun thing to do was to sit in the quad and observe what’s going on. Things are kind of all the same again. Its fun to be able to talk about things you remember at school [with other alumni],” Marcia Miller ’83 said.
During halftime the 1948 undefeated Oxy football team was honored, 60 years after the Raison Bowl.
“It was an unusual time, we were playing against people who just came back from the war. These were veterans and it was a real honor to be able to play in the championship,” Johnson said.
Homecoming weekend seemed to be an equally intriguing experience for recent alumni as well as those who left oxy over a decade ago. “It’s kind of strange, definitely, to be at this as an alumni. You’re used to experiencing this as a student,”Phil Guerrero ’08 said.
“The thing I love about homecoming is that it gives alums the chance to reunite with their younger friends at Oxy and check up on the school,” Kelly Neukom ’08 said. “I love that Oxy has special events just to make the graduates feel included in the school community again.”
Out on the field, the Tigers gave it their all and beat the Whittier Poets, 48-14. They led 41-0 after three quarters en route to their dominating victory. “It felt great to get the shoes back and end the regular season on a high note,” Bryan Fiorito (sophomore) said. “It was also great to be able to see some guys get out on the field that don’t normally get much playing time.”
The stands were filled with jubilant Tigers – old, new, and everything in between. “The crowd was amazing. It is so much more thrilling to play in front of a rowdy crowd that is behind the team,” Dillon Tucker (sophomore) said. “I loved the atmosphere out there Saturday. My brother was there and I was happy to have put on such a good team performance for him.”
Leading an outstanding offensive performance were the big and brilliant Oxy O-Line. “Our O-line doesn’t get the credit they deserve. They’re a group of hard working, skilled, and experienced ‘big uglies’ that are the backbone of our offense. Love those guys,” Quarterback Justin Goltz (senior) said.“Everyone got to play, and everyone contributed in their own way,” Todd Mark (sophomore) said. “It was a great way to end the regular season and get us momentum going into the playoffs.”
The football players weren’t the only act wowing the crowd. Dance Team and Cheer both delivered stunning performances to the enthusiastic crowd. “The preparation for the homecoming game was completely different from any other football game,” Dance Team member Jenn Phan (senior) said. “We were satisfied with the turnout since most of the school and alumni were there.”
“We take the halftime performance at the homecoming game most seriously because we want to put on the best possible show for the alumni and parents who come from all over to watch,” Co-Captain Brittany Banbury (senior) said.
The Tigers (9-0) will play Willamette University (10-0) in the first round of the 2008 Division III Playoffs at the McCulloch Stadium in Salem, Oregon on Saturday, Nov. 22.
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