CPP students enjoy games, rides before supporting basketball team
By Sara Gomez, February 10, 2026
Students showed school spirit through dance and rides before the first men’s basketball game of the spring semester against San Francisco State through Cal Poly Pomona’s third annual Green and Gold Block Party Jan. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Before attending the game at 1pm students had the chance to play games and win free prizes such as green and gold headbands they could wear throughout the day. It gave poeple the chance to show green and gold pride on campus. They also had free face paint stands, where they had the option to get something school related like green and gold paint, so they’d stay in the school spirit.
Broncos swished and tossed all afternoon, with unlimited access to games in Bronco Commons like horseshoe toss, duck ponds, hamster rumble, skeeball and laundry basket. Students also enjoyed the fair rides like the ones seen at the Los Angeles Country Fair held each year at the Pomona Fairplex.
For example. a colorful trolley circled around Billy Bronco’s statue, and in front of the bookstore, students leaned up against a metal wall and spun in circles on a ride called “The Round Up.”
“I like the free prizes they give out during the games,” biology student Gia Cardenas said. “It’s fun seeing everyone walk around with their funny hats, it brings spirit to the campus.”
Students also had the chance to get unlimited access to free food throughout the day, including drinks and conchas in the morning and empanadas, tacos and funnel cake in the afternoon.
When students needed to recharge, they walked over to the open stage, took a seat on the grass under the sun, and enjoyed performances from the University Pep Band and the Broncettes Dance Team. They hyped up the crowd as they asked students if they were ready for the basketball game.
“This is such a fun event with the games, food, booths, vibes and energy,” hospitality management student Judy Alghambi said. “I would definitely recommend.”
For students looking forward to the basketball game, they had special activities for students to get creative such as poster painting and face paint for students to sit down, get creative and show they were game ready.
Associated Students, Incorporated and university housing collaborated to host the free event. They started contacting vendors and organizations on campus to help coordinate the event in summer 2025.Ethan Pama a student apart of ASI shared the hardest parts of putting the event together.
The hardest part of putting the event on was ensuring the school was not held liable for certain activities and organizing the festivities, according to industrial engineering student Ethan Pama.
“Finding creative ideas was the biggest part and was a little more intricate for contacting vendors,” Pama said. “Making sure our school could work with third-party vendors was also a part of planning. Luckily, people are willing to support our school events. It’s a good way to put their name out there.”