Homecoming festivities will come to a close tomorrow night at University Stadium and Lobo Lucy, Lobo Louie, the UNM spirit squad and the spirit marching band have been gearing up for the occasion.
"Homecoming is an especially busy time from beginning to end - it's a perfection," UNM spirit coordinator Sandi Williams said. "We have to put all the different pieces together to support the whole homecoming atmosphere."
Traditionally, cheerleaders and University dance teams play a large role in homecoming entertainment. However, neither the UNM cheerleaders nor the UNM dance team, the Chaparrals, will make a special appearance at Saturday's game.
"In past years we've performed sometimes at halftime, but we really haven't performed that much in the last few years," senior cheerleader Jeanine Dubois said. "It's pretty much a normal game for us."
Even though they are not starring in the halftime show, Dubois said the cheerleaders will present some never-before-seen stunts on the sidelines Saturday.
"We're working on some new stunts to get ready for the game," she said. "We're just working on harder stunts and trying to get the crowd more involved."
Williams said the spirit squad also participates in activities such as the bonfire and the pep rally.
The cheerleaders and dance team are not scheduled to perform at specific times during the football game. Williams said they perform when there is an appropriate time slot.
"A lot of what cheerleaders do is behind the scenes," Williams said. "They're a supportive group. They're out there to support the homecoming court and they're an intricate part of what is being done."
Members of the Chaparrals said they are frustrated they were not allotted the opportunity to perform at the homecoming game.
"We want to, but we can't because of all the other festivities," senior dancer Missy Manzo said. "All the new girls thought we would perform. We had to tell them that we weren't going to."
Fellow senior Tifany Paulus shares Manzo's disappointment.
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"We'll just be on the sidelines like we always are," Paulus said. "It's been like that for awhile - the band does halftime."
The spirit marching band is scheduled for a pregame performance, the halftime show and a post game show.
Miller Asbill, director of the spirit marching band, said the band has been rehearsing for the homecoming performance for two to three weeks. On Saturday, the student musicians will be joined by UNM spirit marching band alumni.
As of Wednesday, Asbill said there were 58 alumni registered to play during halftime of the Homecoming game. The band will play "Good Golly Miss Molly" and "You Really Got Me."
Miller said he does not know why the marching band is scheduled to perform while the spirit squad is not.
"That's a question for the Athletics department," he said. "I just know that traditionally college bands play at halftime."
