‘All for you’ from GCSU

    Electrifying cheers of a zealous crowd and full-blown sing-along are hardly what is expected on a Friday night at West Campus. The soccer field was nearly unrecognizable as more than 2,000 people filled the venue. But on Leap Day, Feb. 29, the main attraction and most anticipated event of Homecoming, Sister Hazel, gave GCSU something to leap about.
    “This is perhaps one of the most exciting events we have ever had in this campus,” Ryan Greene, SGA president said. “It feels good to have this kind of response and support from the student body.”
    Sister Hazel, a popular band that started their career in the 90s, proved that they haven’t lost their touch. They kept the crowd engaged and pumped for songs old and new as they took center stage for this year’s Homecoming sponsored by SGA and Campus Activities Board.
    The celebrations started early as gates opened at 7 p.m. Many were there before hand taking part in tailgating as GCSU students and community members waited for the bands to play. A maximum of 72 oz. total of alcohol was allowed and many coolers grazed the fields.
    Andy Griffith, a senior business major, was among the students lucky enough to enjoy the company of a few legal beers.
    “I just enjoy standing here with a beer in hand,” Griffith said. “A laid back event with friends and watching everyone definitely just adds excitement to our campus.”
    Atlanta-band Blackberry Smoke opened for the crowd with their blue-grass, southern-rock infused tunes.
    The concert also served as a fundraiser for Gamma Sigma Sigma, a community service sorority, by selling concessions to the crowd.
    “It’s always a pleasure to just help out the school and reach out to the student body,” Beth Gaylor, sophomore liberal studies major and a member of the Gamma Sigma Sigma sorority, said. “I think the students appreciate that we’re selling cheap concessions because otherwise the concessions would come from a place that really wants to make profit. We want to make profit but we’re here more for making the concert convenient and more enjoyable for college students.”
    Junior criminal justice major Jessica Bell worked her way close to the stage to really soak in all the atmosphere.
    “I know a few songs by Sister Hazel, and I didn’t think they were going to be  this good,” Bell said. “They sound really good, and I’m so excited of their performance.”
    Lead singer Ken Block, was also amazed by the crowd that just couldn’t contain their excitement.
    “I can’t believe we’ve never come to Milledgeville when we were touring,” Block said to the delighted crowd. “You guys are awesome!”
    The band also performed  some of their hits as well as covers songs.
    The concert was brief with the concert ending before 11 p.m. But the sweet and short of it didn’t stop the students from reliving the experience.
    Many alumnus and community members took advantage of the event since tickets were fairly affordable.
    “We are hoping to make homecoming better and better every year letting students know that their fees are going somewhere worth while,” Greene said. “It’s definitely something SGA would love to have success with since it really added to that homecoming excitement we’ve been looking for.”
    Sister Hazel is headlining a series of tours, including opening for Hard Rock Cafe’s new and first-ever rock theme amusement park, Hard Rock Park. Located in  Myrtle Beach, S.C., the park is set to open this summer. For more information about Sister Hazel and tour dates visit the band website at www.sisterhazel.com

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Mar 7 2008. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry