Optimism for Sacramento State’s Homecoming football game was palpable on Saturday as students, friends and family members of the football players gathered to celebrate the ritual of the pregame tailgating party.

The air of the stadium parking lot filled with barbecue smoke as groups of fans congregated to show their support for the Sac State football team.”Everybody and their dog is going to be here,” said John Billingsley, a junior majoring in psychology.

Although Sac State was about to play one of the most important games of the season, the tailgating was the main attraction for some of the fans.

“Being in the parking lot is more fun than being in the game,” said Joshua Lizarraga, a senior public relations major, who said he is not happy with Sac State’s ban on alcohol inside the stadium. The alcohol ban began last December when the California State University system prohibited the sale of alcohol at school owned athletic facilities. Because of this ban, fans have to drink before the game at various locations, including the parking lot.

“You gotta get down as much as you can before you go in,” said Antone Bogetti, a former football player who graduated in 2005. He was also out to support his brother, linebacker James Bogetti. Other fans were less picky about the location and had only one thing in mind.

“We’re here to get drunk,” said senior Lisa Sherman, an economics and government double major, whose brother is Sac State’s defensive lineman Bill Sherman.

As the fans prepared for the game, Sac State faculty, staff and Sacramento-area families gathered at the Alumni Center for a barbecue of their own.

President Alexander Gonzalez gave a short speech as the new alumni logo was unveiled, and Alumni Association President Tina Treis said she was happy the new logo was finally finished.”This symbol really represents us and the future we can bring to the university,” Treis said. Organizers of the event promoted it all around the Sacramento area, and anyone was welcome to come.

“If we’re successful, I think they’ll want us to do (the event) every year,” said Laura Stuebe, alumni relations with the Alumni Association.

Cody Kitaura can be reached at [email protected]