The spotlight falls on three events this Homecoming that will entice students to be a part of the glitz, glamour and magic of a Hollywood Homecoming.

Students will have the chance to win a trip to Hollywood, participate in an independent film festival and hear Glen Mason’s pregame pep talk.

The Friday night pepfest’s guest speakers will include football coach Glen Mason and the new women’s basketball coach, Brenda Oldfield.

“They’ve sold the most football student season tickets this year. I believe over 8,000 student tickets were sold,” said Homecoming coordinator Kristen Moore.

Mason and Oldfield are encouraging students to attend athletic events.

“It’s a great opportunity for them to promote Gopher athletics,” Moore said. “I think Homecoming is established to create campus spirit and to put emphasis on the homecoming football game. It only makes sense to have someone from the football team as a representative.”

Homecoming buttons have been available for years, but this year spending $1 on a button could send a student and a guest to Hollywood for a four-day, three-night vacation on Sunset Boulevard.

“It’s a great way to promote button sales, plus Hollywood wouldn’t be a bad place to be when it gets cold,” said Alexis Ohm, Homecoming marketing and public relations coordinator.

There will be a registration form with each button and drop-off locations at campus bookstores and other events, Ohm said.

The drawing will be held Friday night at the pepfest.

Moore encourages students to buy buttons as a way to promote school spirit.

“I have seen students walking around with the buttons on their backpacks or on their coats,” Moore said. “If they can’t attend one of the events, it’s a way for them to show their school spirit.”

An independent film festival will let students show their creative sides. There are no specific categories or certain criteria other than following a Hollywood theme, Moore said.

“It’s not a competition. It’s more of a showcase,” Moore said. “Everyone can just come and watch each other’s movies.”

Only Homecoming royalty, residence halls and greek organizations were allowed to submit movies.

“We wanted something more optional, make it a little low-key and more laid back. Something they could really have fun with instead of worrying about another competition,” Moore said. “It’s another chance to bring out the theme of Hollywood.”

The showcase will be held at the Superblock on Wednesday night.

Elizabeth Putnam welcomes comments at [email protected]