Students decorate hard hats before the football game at Black Hole Saturday afternoon in front of Welch Stadium. Alissa Miller/ The Bulletin
The football stadium’s parking lot was filled with pre-game enthusiasts last Saturday as the ESU Ambassadors hosted this year’s first Black Hole Tailgating event to help kick off the 2010 Hornet football season.
“Tailgating allows students to come hang out before the game and to also connect with the community and have pride in our school,” said senior Secondary Social Science Education major and Ambassador Spirit Chair, Drake Foster.
Lyon County State Bank provided hot dogs and hamburgers, Sutherlands Hardware donated beverages, and KISS 103.1 supplied music for the tailgaters.
Ambassadors also gave away T-shirts, mini footballs, black and gold spirit beads, pom-poms, Corky tattoos, ESU megaphones and black and gold plastic construction hats that were made at the E-Zone Creation Station, an area set aside for students to make their own ESU accessories.
“It was really great to see all the school spirit and to meet so many new people,” said Caitlin Wayman, freshman Pre-Veterinarian major.
According to Erin Lynam, senior Business Management major and president of Ambassadors, the organization exists to serve as ESU’s official hosts in promoting the university. They focus on service by assisting in recruiting students through campus tours and representing ESU on campus and in the community.
“ESU Ambassadors encourage service, spirit and success at Emporia State University at all levels whether that means serving current students, faculty and staff, alumni or prospective students,” said Samantha Atwell, Secondary Social Science Education major and ESU Ambassador.
In addition to hosting Black Hole Tailgating, they sponsor several events throughout the year, including Senior Week and assistance with alumni activities throughout the year.
“We also help with parking at sporting events, and we try to promote as many sports as we can through E-Zone,” Lynam said.
According to Foster, E-zone is a cheering section that encourages school spirit and involvement at home games and throughout the Emporia community.
Ambassadors rely on support from the Emporia public and businesses to help make their efforts a success.
In order to become an Ambassador, students must have a 2.75 GPA, be a full-time student and complete an application and interview process. Once accepted into the program, members must maintain their GPA, give monthly tours and participate in various other activities.
“We pride ourselves on providing a different college experience. Members get to know President Lane and alumni and be a welcoming committee for ESU,” Lynam said. “It’s rewarding to give prospective student campus tours and to see them next year, excited about being a Hornet and coming to ESU.”
Kenzie Templeton
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