Lucca Giurlani is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain View for AZPreps365.

Mountain View recently lost its homecoming game against Williams Field. 

While this wasn’t the outcome the Toros were looking for, the community and family atmosphere that they have built at home was on full display. 

“We got great family support, fan support, our administration does a great job of creating an event,” coach Joe Germaine recently said. “In my humble opinion I think the Friday night experience at Mountain View is unlike a lot of places."

From the beginning, Germaine has been insistent on the community that the school has behind it, but the school has given the community reasons to support it.

The amenities offered helps create the right environment for fans. After entering, there is a classic concession stand with all the basic food for football games, but past that behind the bleachers is an open patch with six alternative food options. 

These include shaved ice and cotton candy tables, along with four food trucks: Tapas Al Gusto, The Corn Dog Company, Kicks Frozen Yogurt and Soda Rush, which also has candy, cookies and pretzels. 

“It's really nice that they bring especially the shaved ice and the corndogs because it's a little bit more easier for my babies to actually eat,” said Kati Clark, who was watching her child play in the inflatable slide located past the food trucks. “To be completely honest, I didn’t even know this was here last time when we were at the game so it's really nice because I’m not a big fan of football so it's really nice that they have extra stuff.”

Clearly, Mountain View has done a great job of creating a real event for the local community. While the school garners support from everyone in the stands, it also provides that extra aspect of fun for people that aren’t completely invested in the sport itself.

“I think it’s really good for the community, for the kids, for the families,” said Deanna Coffland, who works at the front entrance. “It brings a lot of our students that go to school here.”

There is an extra aspect for kids who love football, too, specifically the ones in the Toros youth football program.

“This practice field out here is lit,” Germaine said. “All of the players in our youth program come to the game in their jerseys and they get in for free and they go out there and run around and play.” 

This added level of support really shows what the Toros have built and are continuing to build for the community. Germaine added: “I think the family atmosphere is pretty unique here and is reflective of the program we have here,” which perfectly summed up the Friday night environment.