San Diegans Share Their Aztec Pride
San Diegans rallied together in anticipation of the Aztecs vs. BYU basketball game this Saturday.
“I believe that we will win! I believe that we will win!”
Eager Aztec fans shouted with enthusiasm at the rally held downtown Friday morning.
Aztec pride
Crowds of alumni, students and community members gathered in downtown San Diego's Horton Square near the NBC San Diego studios in support of the highly anticipated men’s basketball rematch against Brigham Young University. Aztec pride is high as the No. 6 men’s basketball team causes a frenzy throughout the San Diego community, and the energy at the rally was a direct reflection.
One community member held a cardboard sign above her head that read, “BY who?”
Nick Sandberg, a recent SDSU graduate and current NBC employee, commented that the event was “impressive” and that he had “never witnessed such Aztec pride outside of campus.”
In addition to event emcees Steven Luke and Artie Ojeda, both SDSU alumni and NBC San Diego reporters, several notable Aztecs spoke at the event, including:
- SDSU President Stephen Weber
- San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders
- County Supervisor Ron Roberts
- City Council Member Kevin Faulconer
President Weber was recognized for his 15-year term as president of SDSU, and Mayor Sanders officially declared March SDSU Month, kicking off SDSU’s 31 days of artistic, academic and athletic events.
Kicking off SDSU Month
“The rally was a great way to kick off SDSU Month and share Aztec fever with our fellow San Diegans,” said Melissa Henss, SDSU manager of integrated marketing and communications. “With so many Aztecs coming out for the event, we hope they’ll continue to reconnect with the university throughout March.”
Co-sponsored by SDSU Month media partner NBC San Diego, the event wound down with free Naked Pizza and a raffle for a basketball signed by members of the team, as well as tickets to the last home game against Colorado State University.
About the game
The Aztecs vs. BYU game takes place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 26, and will air nationally on CBS.
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