Fresno State Athletics
A Fun Night at the SMC
10/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 29, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - The fans cheered loud and the stands roared like thunder Thursday night at the Save Mart Center as the Bulldog volleyball team faced off against No. 3 Hawaii and welcomed ESPNU to the Valley in the Bulldogs first-ever live, national television broadcast at home. An exceptional trifecta of extravagant giveaways went up for grabs to spirited fans to celebrate the event.
Taking advantage of a place in the spotlight, the Bulldogs aimed to pack the house and created great school spirit by encouraging fans to come on and come all with the opportunity to win a plethora of high-end prizes, including 20 Me-N-Ed's pizzas, a consistent sponsor of Fresno State athletics, 100 custom printed Bulldog flip-flops, and the premier prize of the night, a 42- inch plasma television, that was gifted to the loudest, craziest fan at intermission.
"We really launched tonight to gather a crowd for this big game," said Fresno State marketing coordinator Derick Stoulil. "We gave away custom blue sandals printed with the Bulldog logo along with the television to bring in fans to push attendance for the inaugural, nationally televised Bulldog Volleyball match on ESPNU."
In addition to the regular game entertainment provided to the Red Wave, the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band played with double the number of instruments for a typical home volleyball match, adding nearly 20 more members to the already loud pep band. There was an intermission performance by the dance team for the first time this season. Appearances were also made by Victor E. Bulldog as well as the spirit squad, which performs at all home matches.
"We wanted to bring out fans and bring more noise and spirit to home court," said band director Tim Anderson. "We brought out the dance team for the first time tonight to add flair and color to the game. Some of our band painted themselves, too."
Fans flocked to the match with custom painted signs for chances to win prizes, compliments of ASI, as well as painted bodies, some reading "ESPNU." One thrilled Fresno State student, Robbie Vallone, a freshman and business major from San Diego, Calif., was the lucky recipient of Thursday night's ultimate prize, the plasma television. Vallone won the television after showcasing his intense spirit and extreme enthusiasm to fellow Bulldogs.
"I am putting this right in my room in my dorm in Homan Hall," said Vallone. "I was supposed to be playing with the band tonight as I usually do but they let me cheer on the `Dogs instead, but I always cheer either way. This is so exciting!"
Organizers of tonight's promotions aimed to double the number of match attendees, from an average 1,000 fans to roughly 2,000. The final attendance for the night was 4,132, a record for Save Mart Center Volleyball. The women's volleyball team could have its third season appearance on ESPNU in late November at the WAC Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada.
