A second half SF State collapse soured the Gators’ homecoming celebrations. The crowd evaporated along with the Gators’ game after halftime. Cal State Stanislaus rallied from a 45-26 halftime deficit to win 97-92 in overtime.

“Homecoming is a chance for students to get to know their athletes – and every team plays better with a crowd,” said Kristen Para, the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

Para was proven right when the gym deflated after the halftime ceremony, and the Gators’ lead shrank. The “DEFENSE!” chant was weaker, as was the defense. The Warriors tied the game to take it in to overtime and the Gators blew their nineteen-point halftime lead.

Oscar Edwards DJ-ed the game. Edwards is a former Gators basketball player, and said he feels for the athletes. “They work hard,” Edwards said. “Practice six days a week – you lift weights in the morning, then two to three hours of playing, plus all the travel time. Think how your spirit feels after that.”

SF State held its annual homecoming last Friday, beginning with a pep rally at Malcolm X Plaza. The event continued with the women’s and men’s basketball against Cal State Stanislaus, and, of course, the crowning of Derek Fortier and Jenna Pioli as the homecoming king and queen.

“Our school is a commuter school, and homecoming gives students an opportunity to feel more as one –– not just a number, but part of something,” said Para.

The gym was fairly empty at the start of the women’s basketball game. There was free pizza out front and lots of music. Slowly, the crowd trickled in.

Edwards also feels for those who organize, set up and work homecoming as well, right down to the decorations. “Think about all those people spending time hanging up balloons.”

The women’s team beat Stanislaus handily 76-61. Edwards put the music back on, and more and more people trickled into the gym. One end of the bleachers filled up with students in Gators’ colors. They were loud, and were always standing. The gym almost reached capacity.

For many players, Edwards said, SF State will be their last chance to play basketball for a crowd. “They’re just playing for the love of the game.”

The Stanislaus men took the court to passionate boos from the crowd. The Gators then come out and circled the court, then peeled off their purple warm-up suits and practiced. Two players bounced balls off the backboard, and a row of Gators followed and kept the balls going. Shoes squeaked and echoed over the music. One Gator led the team in a choreographed dance number –– it was a show.

The Gators started stronger than Stanislaus, when SF State defended, the Gators’ supporters in the bleachers stomped their feet and shook the stands, chanting “DEFENSE! DEFENSE!”

Freshman Derek Fletcher had a few commanding blocks and had several rebounds.

The Gators led 45-26 at the halftime whistle. The cheerleaders took their queue to form two rows for the homecoming nominees.

Taryn Hinschberger and a line of girls in the stands spelled the name “Michelle” across their T-shirts in support of homecoming queen nominee Michelle Silva. Silva’s sorority sister Hinschberger wore the “L.”

Silva and Jenna Pioli received energetic applause from their respective sororities. Pioli’s Delta Kappa Sigma wore black T-shirts that said “Got Sisters?”

Derek Fortier and Pioli were crowned during the halftime celebrations. In high school, Pioli was prom queen and a homecoming princess.