SA hosted “Fill Fauver” Saturday, a tailgate event designed to bolster the University’s school spirit by building interest in student athletics.
“Basically what we’re really trying to do is cultivate a sense of school spirit and community here at U of R,” SA President John Conduah said. “I feel like with student government, a lot of times it’s more about the political wherewithal, but this year we’re really trying to bring it back to community-centric ideas and visions.”
The tailgate, which featured face painting stations, bubbles, food trucks, and plenty of school spirit, took place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the bottom of the hill near Susan B. Anthony and Genesee Halls.
People came in and out, but seemingly everyone who stopped by got caught up in the conversation and music, which was loud enough to be heard by the football team warming up on the field closeby.
“It’s a little chilly, but it’s nice to see everybody’s faces,” sophomore and D’Lion Mary Boateng said.
SA partnered with a variety of student organizations to make their tailgate idea a reality, including the D’Lions, Class Councils, and Eastman’s Student Association.
“[SA] asked for our help since D’Lions are so focused and facilitated on social events for first-years,” D’Lion Business Manager Lem Koualao said. “Especially, we wanted to make sure that they felt greatly assimilated to college life, and wanted these events to show out that we have great school spirit and a great sense of community here at Rochester.”
As the tailgate continued, students cycled between lining up for food trucks, dancing to the music, getting their faces painted, and talking with the other students in attendance. Although the event was primarily planned with first-years in mind, all students were welcome to join in the school spirit.
“I think everyone, not just first years, but even upperclassmen, could start to benefit from coming out and supporting our team,” Koualao said. “As a whole school, all together, we can grow closer and build that better bond.”
After an hour, it was time for the game to start. Students began to move towards Edwin Fauver Stadium to join the hundreds of parents and alumni already in the stands, many grabbing commemorative “Fill Fauver” rally towels on the way.
Perhaps inspired by the show of support, the UR Yellowjackets started the game looking unstoppable. The Yellowjackets scored their first touchdown on a failed field goal attempt and didn’t look back, scoring a touchdown on each of their first three drives and stopping their opponents, the University of Olivet Comets, each time. They finished the half up 28–3, and, after a less dominant but no less impressive second half, won the game 38–17.
After finishing last season with their first winning record since 2015, the Yellowjackets’ performance gives fans no doubt that they are aiming to replicate the feat.
Similarly, SA hopes to replicate Saturday’s show of support with UR’s other sports as well.
“With basketball we have Pack the Palestra … a different rendition of this with basketball inside the GAC,” Conduah said. “We’re trying to work with the logistics in terms of field hockey, softball, baseball, so just stay tuned.”
