Special to The Malibu Times
Pepperdine University’s 2002 Homecoming weekend kicked off Friday, when the Waves’ baseball team upset No. 3-ranked Tulane 9-7 on a windy afternoon.
Traditionally, college homecoming events are highlighted by a football game, but since Pepperdine does not field a football team, they have adapted their celebrations.
Prom King Nate Watts thinks Pepperdine University’s small size makes the weekend even more special.
“Even though we don’t have a football team, it’s fun,” said Watts. “Because we’re a small community, it’s just another good chance for all of us to celebrate with friends.”
Due to the high winds, the “Homecoming Village” was moved indoors on Saturday afternoon. Inside the Waves Cafeteria, there was a jazz band and activities such as face painting and virtual surfing for Malibu families. If one wanted to battle the wind, there was a rock climbing wall set up outside on the main campus, where it was possible to challenge friend or foe to a race to the top of the wall.
Also outside, local classic car owners displayed seven Woodies, along with a 1946 Mercury-the first SUV-which had been converted into a camper. It was featured beside a 1947 Ford owned by longtime surfer and Malibu lifeguard Don Russell.
And for the environmentally conscious, Pepperdine professor Steve Davis led a series of educational hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains during the weekend that explored the natural parks nearby the Malibu campus. Closer to home, on Saturday afternoon, Pepperdine offered free historical tours of the campus to longtime alumni and those just interested in learning more about the campus.
The weekend culminated in Saturday night’s basketball game, when the men’s team knocked off St. Mary’s in a 68-57 conference win. More winners were announced during the game-the Alpha Phi won the Spirit Cup, a competition where teams display their talents for school spirit. Watts was named Prom King, and Emefa Kludjeson, an actual princess from Ghana, Africa, was named Prom Queen.
“I had a lot of fun at the basketball game,” said senior Jill Oberly. “But I felt all that was available for me was to go to the game. I think they should try to involve more people in the Spirit Cup.”
Usually the fraternities and sororities, or “Greeks” on campus are the most involved in the Spirit Cup, but as this year’s winners, who were not affiliated with any fraternity or sorority, showed, being Greek is not a prerequisite to entering the competition.