September 27, 2008

The Red Wave’s invasion of Southern California for Saturday’s Bulldog football game in Pasadena against PAC-10 opponent UCLA will be evident at the Fresno State Alumni Association tailgate from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. as the No. 25 Bulldogs meet the unranked Bruins in the Rose Bowl for a nationally televised (ABC) game. The alumni tailgate, which is sold out, expects about 1,500 fans.

The association's Chicano Alumni chapter will be among those leading the excursion with a charter bus departing Fresno at 6 a.m. to arrive in time for the tailgate at the Brookside Golf Course, just north of the stadium.

The Red Zone Fresno State student booster club has two buses headed to Padadena for the tailgate party and the game, said Jason Lawler, the Red Zone president. The club has been working on the trip since spring, he added.

“There were 100 spots available and, needless to say, we are completely full,” Lawler said.

The Alumni Association tailgate will feature the Fresno State Spirit Squad at 9:30 a.m. At 10 a.m., Fresno State President John D. Welty will welcome the Red Wave, followed by remarks by Athletic Director Thomas Boeh, who will introduce the Bulldogs Marching Band, under the direction of Fresno State music professor Timothy Anderson. The band will perform for about 30 minutes.

EDITORS - For those interested in crack-of-dawn Red Wave coverage Saturday, the Chicano Alumni bus departs at 6 a.m. from the Ramada Inn (Shaw & Fresno, east of Hwy. 41). Chapter president Manuel Olgin and organizers begin check-in at 5:30. Red Zone student booster club buses leave from campus parking lot Q (Barstow east of Cedar) at 7 a.m. Check-in 6:30.

At Fresno State Alumni Association tailgate at Brookside Golf Course in Pasadena, set-up begins at 6:30 a.m.