Best of CASE District VII Award
 

Institution: California State University, Chico

Title of entry: Chico State’s FIRST EVER Wildcat Tailgate

About this entry: As Chico State works to enhance its culture of school spirit, a student-led initiative out of the Office of the President made an incredible impact in its inaugural year and has launched what we believe will be a new campus tradition. The First Ever Wildcat Tailgate was a joint effort led by a graduating senior and in collaboration with Student Affairs, Student Life and Leadership, Rec Sports, Athletics, and the Office of the President. The event kicked off with a free student burger feed at Madison Bear Garden, a neighbor to the University and a popular spot for students, followed by a rallying march to the basketball stadium with the pep band, and a packed crowd for the men's and women's basketball games on December 5, 2024. The event made space for Coaches, Athletes, and Chico State’s new Athletic Director to not only introduce themselves to students, staff, and faculty who attended, but to also be celebrated by the campus and greater community.

The Wildcat Tailgate resulted in an event that counted 527 student attendees and increased participation in the Athletic games held later that night to 562 student attendees, almost tripling the average attendance for an athletic home game. Participation for the rest of the season remained above average. Due to the success of this event, Chico State has committed to making the Wildcat Tailgate a new tradition on campus that will be incorporated once every semester.