Sporting a blue and white feathered wig, Catie Star, university relations overall for homecoming 2006, attempted yesterday to lure unsuspecting freshmen in Pollock commons with hardened sugary corn syrup on a stick.

"You get a free lollypop for wearing a Penn State shirt," she announced to a man walking by, who proceeded to ignore her and continue on his way.

Star was there as part of Pride Week, a three-day homecoming promotion effort taking place in Pollock and Johnston Commons until tomorrow.

"This is the first year that we're having a Pollock Pride Week because of the increase in freshmen," she said, referring to this year's record-size freshman class.

With Dum Dum Pops and a bunch of leftover T-shirts from the Fresh START day of service by her side, Star and her university relations team set out to get freshmen interested in homecoming and spread the Penn State love.

"I heard that it's one of the biggest," Jeff Caccavale (freshman-business administration) said about homecoming after stopping by with Graham Foster (freshman-electrical engineering) to check out the free T-shirts.

Foster agreed.

"It's gotta be bigger than high school," he said.

Ashley Akright, captain of university relations, said Penn State first captured her heart when she became part of an Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon family.

"Since I was five and attended my first Thon, it got in my blood," she said. "I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't gotten into Penn State."

Sara Rossi, a university relations committee member, said many freshmen don't know just what Penn State homecoming entails.

"I feel like all freshmen think homecoming is just a parade and a football game," she said.

Rachel Sutton, a first-year exchange student from England who stopped by the table, said she was out of the homecoming loop.

"I've heard of homecoming, but I'm not sure what it actually is," she said.

Sutton signed herself and her friends up for "First Year Frenzy," a day of competitions including pie-eating and relay races taking place Monday at 4 p.m. at the quad in East Halls.

"I like to play sports, and I haven't played anything, so this is close to it," she said. "Plus, I got a lolly."

Melissa Grieco (freshman-division of undergraduate studies), who was visiting the table with Sutton, said she had also heard the Penn State party scene amps up during Homecoming.

"I've heard there's a lot of drinking," she said. Sutton then reminded her they were both underage, so she added, "...in which we will not be participating."