Gustavus Adolphus College played their first college football game in 1902. The Gustavus football tradition began 109 years ago and today we are one day away from the 2011 Homecoming football game.

“Playing with the winged helmet is a privilege,” Senior Captain Elliot Herdina said. The whole team is reticent of the Gustavus tradition, and on this Sesquicentennial Saturday afternoon, Gustavus will be ready to play and win.

“We need to win as a team but we also want to win in the homecoming atmosphere,” Senior Captain Logan Becker said.  As Becker implied, Lloyd Hollingsworth Field is expected to be filled to capacity when students, family members and alumni all come in support of not only the football team but of Gustavus as an institution.

Senior Darin Wagner has three years of experience playing tight end for Gustavus on homecoming. “If you need extra motivation you don’t need to look far on homecoming,” Wagner said.

Herdina, Becker and Wagner headline an offense ready to attack the Concordia College team this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Gustavus enters the game at 0-3 following a five-point loss to Wartburg College, a three-point loss to Mayville State and an 18-point loss to St. Olaf College. Gustavus held early leads in the Wartburg and Mayville State games, but haven’t played a complete game yet. “Our first halves have been great,” Senior Varsity Captain Dan Opitz said.

“Playing Concordia and their option style offense requires preparation in practice and lots of film,” Senior Safety Mitchell Kleinschrodt said. It is clear to see that the Gustavus coaching staff requires excellence and it shows through in their senior leaders on this team.

Matt Thomas is the football team’s Public Address Announcer, and he too  has seen the team lacking in their ability to put together a complete game.

“The MIAC has an elite top-3 in St. Thomas, St. Johns and Bethel just like men’s basketball has an elite top-2 in Gustavus and St. Thomas. It is yet to be seen if this year’s team can break the top three,” Thomas said.

However, Thomas still believes in the team. “I trust Coach Haugen and believe a coaching change takes time for adjustment but the team will only keep improving,” Thomas said.

The Concordia matchup is only a portion of the homecoming festivities. In addition to Thomas’s position as PA announcer, he also is the Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication at Gustavus. “There is so much focus on the Sesquicentennial; this homecoming is a huge monument for Gustavus,” Thomas said.

The goal of the marketing department is to get the all of the homecoming attendants involved. Students will be presented with a memorable day starting with the football game and ending  Saturday night with the Eric Hutchinson concert. Gustavus families will have opportunity to participate in numerous activities surrounding the football field, and alumni will have their own tent to reconnect with former classmates.

“It is assumed people will be here and that the college will welcome alumni with open arms. Homecoming is a time to come back and acquaint with old friends while watching some football,” Thomas said.