Fresno State Athletics
Happy Thanksgiving From gobulldogs.com
11/21/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
Nov. 21, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - In this time of giving "thanks", the Fresno State Athletics Department is thankful for many things during this holiday season. Among them are the health and prosperity of nearly 500 student-athletes.
While creating a culture where student-athletes will find success in the classroom and in competition, the department also works daily to provide dozens services to make the Bulldogs' student-athlete experience as enjoyable as possible.
Often student-athletes and staff have to travel during the Thanksgiving holiday. In 2006, the Bulldog football team spent Thanksgiving at the Howard Johnson Hotel in Ruston, La., as the Dogs prepared to play Louisiana Tech the following day. The team had a Thanksgiving meal at team hotel, while many staff members ate at various eating establishments in Ruston. Competition often takes teams away from their friends and family during the holidays. This year, we are thankful that no Bulldog teams will be on the road on Thanksgiving Day.
In the spirit of giving thanks, gobulldogs.com has asked some of the student-athletes, coaches and staff members to share with the fans some of the Thanksgiving traditions, memories and plans:
Head Coach Joe Gonzales, Cross Country
"Traditionally, we go over to the in-laws home. It's a great gathering and I always take my cheesecake, salsa and guacamole. I am thankful for my family and my health and for successful seasons that both the men and women's teams had this year."
Head Women's Basketball Coach Adrian Wiggins
"I enjoy family. It is a time when we are all at our best and doing right things. It is a safe place."
Danon Beatty, Women's Tennis
"I'm so thankful to be able to play tennis. I've had to overcome some injuries and it's great to be able to have health again. On Thanksgiving, my whole family gets together and my dad always organizes a football game for all the cousins. My personal favorite Thanksgiving food is deviled eggs and my grandmother's mashed potatoes are delicious."
LaShaunte Stephens, Women's Basketball
LaShaunte's mother has never shied away from having friends and family over for the Thanksgiving holiday. Last year Stephens mother told her she should invite members of the women's basketball team over for dinner. Six-to-seven girls on last year's team accepted the invitation along with four players from the men's team. This year 13 members of the women's team will be at Stephens home for the holiday. Along with members of the women's basketball team, the Stephens family will have more family than normal at the house. Stephens said there will be at least 31 people at her home for dinner on Thursday. "It will work out real nice," Stephens said. "It is something different. My mom cooks a lot anyways no matter how many people are eating." Stephens loves being around family and friends on the holiday but she added that she does not like turkey or dressing. Her favorite food to eat is ham, her grandmothers potato salad and collard greens. "If I eat turkey it is usually dark meet," Stephens said.
Pat Hill, Head Football Coach
"It will be a quiet Thanksgiving with Cathy and the boys. Because we are in season and have a game on Saturday, we will practice at Noon and give the players the day off after that. It will be a pretty quiet dinner."
Roxane Sellick, Women's Cross Country
"I am very thankful for my family and for God in my life. Our family always heads up to the mountains and it's a great place to just relax, reflect and it's great for runners too."
Head Men's Tennis Coach Jay Udwadia
"One of the best things about Thanksgiving is spending time with family. I'll be going to New York this year as usual to be with my family, enjoy the colder climate and watch a lot of football."
Bobby Lepori, Football
Bobby's Mother, Frannie, will come to Fresno from Reno to cook for nearly 25 people, including 15 members of the Bulldog team. According to Lepori, his Mom's traditional Thanksgiving meal includes smoked ham and smoked turkey, and adds that she's an excellent cook. "My Mom's legit in the kitchen," he said.
Kelly Mason, Volleyball
"After practice on Wednesday I am catching a flight home to go to San Diego where I am going to see my parents who are going to pick me up, so that will be exciting! Then we will drive back to Temecula and I will get to see my friends who have gone off to college, who I haven't seen in four months. It'll be a happy reunion. Thursday morning we wake up and watch the Thanksgiving parade. We have our Pillsbury orange rolls. That's a tradition. This year we are getting our food catered so it will be extra special. We are having an earlier Thanksgiving dinner around 3 p.m. or so because my parents and I are driving back to Fresno since we have the University of the Pacific Tournament in Stockton on Friday and Saturday. So we will drive back Thursday night, spend the night in Fresno, go to Stockton and play Friday night. My aunt and uncle are coming to the match because they live about an hour from Stockton and they have never seen me play in my eight years of volleyball, so that will be really exciting. So this Thanksgiving is really about being close with my family and being thankful for what we have and who we have in our lives and being able to cherish all the moments we have to spend together."
Alan Ahmady, Baseball
"Every year my family and I get together and have a big Thanksgiving dinner, and then after we are all finished, we sit around a play card games and spent quality family time together. And, I would have to say I'm most thankful for my faith, and the health of my family and friends."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" -The Bulldogs return to Bulldog Stadium for their final home game of the season on Saturday, November 24 against Big 12 member Kansas State. Don't miss the seniors march down the ramp one last time in a Bulldog uniform. It's Senior Day and Fan Appreciation Day! One lucky fan will have the chance to win a 2007 BMW 328i from Weber BMW, and a second fan will putt for $10,000 at halftime! For tickets, go to the ticket page at www.gobulldogs.com, call 559-278-DOGS or stop by the Bulldog Ticket Office.
