This weekend's 75th anniversary Homecoming event was a success, with more than 5,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni in attendance.
The event brought a record number of Broncos - 2,757 - to Kellogg Gym to cheer the men's basketball team on to a 73-53 win against Cal State East Bay on Saturday. The women's basketball team also pulled a 75-70 overtime win over Cal State East Bay.
"Homecoming was amazing," says Dean of Students Rebecca Keeton. "It was so much fun to have alumni back on campus. They loved seeing the changes to the campus, and they loved spending time together. It was heartwarming."
Organizations across campus set up booths on the soccer field near Kellogg Gymnasium, offering all sorts of activities. At ASI's Build-A-Bronco station, young and young of heart could build their own Billy Bronco stuffed animal. Alumni Affairs allowed visitors to customize CPP sunglasses or grab some pompoms to show school spirit.
Alumni and students in green and gold wigs and Bronco spirit gear lined up for a ride on the Ferris wheel or to race down the giant slide.
"This is one of my favorite events that CPP has put on," said Cindy Alvarado, a fourth-year psychology major. "I feel like they pulled out all the stops."
Singer-songwriter Andy Grammer performed to a raucous crowd of Broncos, even climbing down from the stage at one point to sing "Happy Birthday" to a stunned student.
In an interview before the concert, Grammer offered advice to Cal Poly Pomona students looking to enter the music industry.
"It's basically like being an entrepreneur; you don't get paid or recognized until you create something that is of value," he said. "If you work at a bank, you show up, you do your job, you work a certain amount of time, and you will get a paycheck at the end of that. In art, you don't get paid until you've done something unbelievable."
Grammer said that performing at a university like Cal Poly Pomona is different than performing a general concert because the audience may not know his music. "It's a fun challenge to try and win over everyone," he said.
Homecoming activities also included a bonfire, ice skating, photo booth, fashion show, petting zoo, pep rally, food trucks and more.
Whether they came for Andy Grammer, the carnival rides, or to cheer the sports teams to victory, attendees had a chance to express their Bronco pride and celebrate Cal Poly Pomona's 75th anniversary.