SGA expects more than 300 students to participate in annual event before big basketball game.
By Crystal Luong
News Assistant
As the time for the big game against Gonzaga nears, the spirit of Pepperdine will be displayed in the second annual Tidal Wave Pep Rally, hosted by both the Student Government Association and Riptide.
At 9 p.m. next Tuesday, a wave of students will start the rally in Rho and Epsilon parking lots and continue throughout the dorms.
“As we’re moving, we’ll collect more and more people.” SGA Vice President Giuseppe Nespoli said. “It’s like a dorm-storm.”
Tidal Wave will culminate at an on-campus location that will not be disclosed until the night of the event, Nespoli said. “We’re trying to make it a surprise and to make it bigger and better (than last year). We’re expecting 300 and hoping for 600 students to come.”
At the final destination, the pep rally will feature free food and performances by the cheerleaders and dance squads. In addition, Men’s Basketball Head Coach Paul Westphal will deliver a speech to the crowd.
“You can expect a tangible surprise for every student that they can have at the basketball game,” Nespoli said.
Primary planning for Tidal Wave has been in the works since the beginning of the spring semester. The event coordinators are Nespoli, Riptide co-president Adam Beamish and Student Activities Coordinator Michael Houston.
Plans for Tidal Wave will be finalized next Monday night.
SGA will also host next week’s Convocation in Firestone Fieldhouse. The Convo agenda, organized by SGA Convo chair Beth Burch, features the announcement of the Homecoming court, a speech by Westphal, a spirit rap by Pepperdine students, and a spirit game.
Aside from Tidal Wave and Convo during Homecoming Week, a Mardi Carts Parade will take place Feb. 8 at noon in the Homecoming Village. Public Safety will lead the procession in a fire truck, followed by cheer and dance, and the decorated Mardi Carts. The Equestrian Club is also in the process of including a procession of horses in the parade.
Giveaways for the cart decorating contest total $600 — $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third. Groups are judged based on three categories: the promotion of Pepperdine and spirit, creativity and originality, and the enthusiasm of group members.
All students, clubs and organizations are eligible to participate in Mardi Carts, with a minimum of five people per cart and a maximum of 20.
Each group is allowed to choose a song and theme that represents their cart. The extended deadline for cart applications and designs is tomorrow at noon in the Student Activities Center.
January 30, 2003