Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: The Scene

Media Credit: Sean Jones After leading in the halftime, the Gladiators energetically break free through the banner.

Kids running to get into the jumper, vendors showcasing crafts for sale, music and dancing, a display of classic cars and trucks, food, and most importantly, a lot of fun.

This is what took place at Chabot College this past Saturday for Homecoming. Homecoming 2007 was advertised as more and was supposed to be bigger than in past years. This year's lived up to the hype and Chabot did a good job of trying to get the community, students, and faculty to come and enjoy festivities that some people thought would just be about sports.

"A lot of people think that homecoming only has to do with sports," said Chabot College Athletic Director Steve DaPrato.
"Homecoming is for the alumni to return to their roots and come have some fun. It's a tradition and it enhances the atmosphere."

Vendors like Denise Febel of Castro Valley, who is the director of the non-profit organization, Pacific Siamese Rescue, which rescues cats that will be put to death and puts them up for adoption, felt the same way as DaPrato.

"This is my first time coming to Homecoming and I feel it is very important to the school, because it unifies all the community and all of the students to come together regardless of your political outlook on things," said Febel.

For many first-timers, it was a great experience for them to come out and see students and families enjoy a beautiful day.
Other vendors set up were people selling antiques, wonderful fine art, ethnic antiques, and of course, collectors of nice cars and trucks from the '60s and '70s.

One of the other great things about this year's Homecoming was that many students and people who came didn't only receive the opportunity to learn about certain programs around the community, but also about what Chabot was offering.

Pam McLaughline of the Chabot College Dental Hygiene Department said, "Homecoming is very important because people from the community and the school who may not know about certain programs can come here and find out about it.

They get to know about something that they may want to be a part of and support our sports team.

"This year is a lot better than last year, and it is better for the kids," she said.

For the kids, there was a jumper, which is always popular, and a booth to decorate mini-pumpkins.

Homecoming was definitely not over when the vendors started to pack up their things and head home.

The big day led up to Chabot College's football team taking on West Valley College. Anybody who wanted to come to the game had the chance to watch it for free.

The Gladiator Field was decorated with black and gold balloons, stars, signs and beautifully drawn banners made by Chabot College's cheerleading squad.

Hayward High School's marching band came and played music during most of the football game, bringing in a very nice college football atmosphere to the Gladiator Field.

Halftime included awards given to student-athletes and an outstanding dance performance by Chabot's cheerleaders.

Homecoming ended with a bang, as the Gladiators went on to win the football game 35-16.

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