On Nov. 19, Sacramento State’s Library Quad will be home to “Causeway Classic Extraordinaire!” Hosted by Associated Students Inc., the one-of-a-kind event will feature a student talent show, performances by the marching band and speeches by influential members of the community.

According to the event proposal, the celebration is an ASI effort to increase student participation in campus events, particularly the upcoming Causeway Classic football game against the UC Davis Aggies.

“The purpose of the ‘Causeway Classic Extraordinaire!’ is mainly to build that sense of camaraderie within Sac State students,” said Roberto Torres, ASI president. “It’s making it to where it’s a tradition that we celebrate this competition between the Aggies and the Hornets.”

ASI will be giving out free Hornet Pride T-shirts to the first 500 students to arrive at the event. Students who show up to the football game wearing the shirt can sign up at the ASI booth to be entered into a drawing to win a Nintendo Wii console.

“We’d love to see a sea of green and gold at the game, so that’s why we’re pushing it like this,” Torres said.

Torres will be one of several guests to speak at the “Causeway Classic Extraordinaire!” Mayor Kevin Johnson and football head coach Marshall Sperbeck are also anticipated to participate. The speeches will focus on the need for students to get involved and be proud of the Sac State campus.

“(It will be) a kind of pep rally type of environment, where what we do is just amp up the students and get them excited about the event,” Torres said.

Sac State students who would like to show their talents will have the opportunity to do so in the event’s talent show, called “Sac State’s Got Talent.”

Participants in the competition will be judged by a three-person panel for their stage presence, crowd response, time allotment, creativity and quality of performance.

According to the event proposal, all students participating in the talent show will be recognized for their efforts, but prizes will only be awarded to the first, second and third place winners. Specific prizes are yet to be determined.

Students who wish to participate in “Sac State’s Got Talent” need to contact Sarah Couch, ASI constituency affairs secretary, for an official talent registration form.

The “Causeway Classic Extraordinaire!” is also the kickoff event for the this year’s Sweatshirt Exchange Program. The two-week program allows students to trade in their gently used sweatshirts from other college campuses in exchange for a brand-new sweatshirt from the Hornet Bookstore.

“There will be specific racks in the bookstore,” Torres said. “Students will be able to pick whichever one they like, go to the cashier and do the exchange there. We in turn, will flip the bill for those sweatshirts.”

The Sweatshirt Exchange Program has 50 new sweatshirts available for exchange on a first-come, first-serve basis.

“The Hornet Bookstore is thrilled to partner with ASI in their sweatshirt trade in event,” said Pam Parsons, store director. “Wearing a Sac State sweatshirt is a great way to promote school pride at anytime, but especially during Causeway Classic week.”

The exchanged sweatshirts will be collected and donated to Sacramento Loaves and Fishes or another local charity.

“In the time of the winter, its cold, so providing (the needy) with a sweatshirt is definitely a benefit to the community,” Torres said.

Inna Gritsak can be reached at [email protected].