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College Football Homecoming Traditions - a Celebration of Losing

October 9, 2007

Now that autumn leaves are blowing in through the patio door and being tracked into the dining room by the family dog, our storied institutions of higher learning have begun to educate our young people in the arts, sciences, humanities and professional fields. It is noble work. Included in the curriculum is the act of gathering half a dozen young people each fall who are willing to remove most articles of clothing and paint themselves in the school colors to lead a parade though campus. These and other alcohol induced undignified traditions have become the American Homecoming legacy.

It is surprising that none of these institutions have dedicated resources or brain power to better understand the allure of our Homecoming traditions. But maybe these things really are too simple to fully understand. The dignity that most universities present to the world is underpinned by the creation of an excuse – for a weekend anyway – for getting together with other alums to drink and reminisce about how things were better when they were students.

Homecoming is a uniquely American tradition of inviting parents and alumni to campus for a celebration highlighted by a football game. Ostensibly, these institutions say they want to connect alumni and friends with the student body. While this is fine with the alumni, the schools really want to connect alumni and friends to the Development Office.

Some alumni, though, really do want to ‘connect’ with the student body. This is where it gets interesting. Opportunities to make these connections are readily provided. Parades, rallies, dances and the ample ‘tailgate’ parties allow slightly underage college coeds to mingle freely with male alumni who weren’t quite ready to graduate and are kicking themselves for getting that thesis in on time. And that was ten years ago. Homecoming provides alums with a reason to take part in the festivities and contribute a few bucks to the school. This ensures they are invited back the following year to oogle the cheerleaders and watch the sorority parade while decked out in school sweatshirts and Rolex watches.

To keep up appearances, some Universities have attempted to make Homecoming serious. What a waste of effort! Socializing is the one thing most of us took from our college experience that we really enjoyed. The unfortunate among us then got jobs. We gaze longingly back at the days where the biggest concern was making the beer money hold out without getting a job and getting the seat next to Nikki C. in Accounting.

Social gatherings are the staple events of Homecoming, although to keep a good face on things, some schools offer open lectures, symposia, and other things that are rolled out to prop up the illusion of a higher purpose. Then of course there is the football game.

What does a losing school do to celebrate its homecoming? It is an interesting study. Losing schools try to deflect attention from the football program, or, at least they should. Others, such as (then) 2-2 Colorado, declared its home game with #3 Oklahoma as its homecoming game. With a roll of the dice, the Buffalos hung themselves out to all their alumni as well as a sizeable television audience against mighty Oklahoma. There wasn’t any hiding from this one. If the Buffaloes went down, they were to be the laughing stock. If the Buckalo kicker could whack one through from 45 yards with no time left, the Gold and Black were golden.

At last report, the Sooners were spending some time in quiet reflection wondering what hit ‘em. Some years ago, Ralphie the 2,000 pound buffalo mascot got loose on her pregame run around the field and headed for the Oklahoma bench. Handlers got her back under control, but not before several OU players had to return to the locker room for fresh pants and socks. Even fresh uniforms couldn’t save the Sooners drive for a top BCS spot this year as the Buffs knocked ‘em off 27-24. One has to admire the schools that roll out their toughest home games for Homecoming. Most of the time, this strategy throws the school into a humiliating train wreck.

In honor of American Homecoming traditions, here is a look at how some of the leading losing football programs are handling Homecoming.

Iowa State –
Ames, Iowa residents are treated to this year’s theme “Catch the Cyclone Craze.” Events include a scavenger hunt where participants don’t know quite what they are looking for, being originally instructed only to find the ‘object.’ This is very similar to the situation surrounding the Cyclone running game. Everyone knows the ‘object’ is the football, but no one can find it.

The Homecoming edition of the ISU Alumni mag included an article on Iowa Wineries, but after this season, it may be about Iowa Whineries. Purchase of a $2.00 homecoming pin and a red sweatshirt worn to the “Wear Red to Get Fed” event – got the underfed students free admission to a cookout featuring all-you-can-eat pork burgers. Mmm mmm good! Any game the Cyclones picked for Homecoming was going to be a touch one, so they defaulted to Oklahoma State on October 22.

Army –
At least these guys can have a damned real parade – complete with people who know something about marching and a band that can play. And everyone considers it an honor to be in the thing. You can also be sure the cadets won’t be wheeling a keg of beer in a shopping cart behind the band. (They are much more creative about hiding it.) The Corps of Cadets scheduled in Tulane this year for what could be at least an entertaining game.

Syracuse –
Events include the “Orange Friendzy” offering free Dreamcicles and a seminar on crime scene investigation. The ones giving this seminar will be looking at how the Orange managed it’s only win on the road against then #18 Louisville. The Orange Homecoming date is October 14 vs. Rutgers. If the Orange team that plucked the Louisville Cardinals shows up for this one, it could be interesting. If the Orange sends out the team that lost its lunch in Iowa City (a 35-0 loss to the Hawkeyes) the day will go down as the “Orange Endzy” as this season won’t be able to end soon enough.

Utah State –
The Aggie Admin types declared its 9/22 date against San Jose St. as its Homecoming Game. Something called a Paint Dance was to be held. This was either a deeply meaningful Native American tradition or an event designed to show off young co-eds soaked in non natural pigments. We will hope it is the former (or maybe not). There was also a run walk or roll event – which was interesting the morning after trying to get a drink in Utah. Most participants showed up dazed and sober. The school provided Aggie treats and a True Aggie night – although what those events actually were remains a mystery.

San Jose State –
In an effort to set itself apart, San Jose State has put a heavy academic focus on this year’s festivities – highlighted by a banned book discussion and debate. This might explain what happened to the playbooks. San Jose State is currently 1-3 claiming a solitary win over Utah State. The SJ State at least had the sense to set up its homecoming game against Idaho.

North Carolina –
The NoCareOlina web site only listed Homecoming events from 2006 – including something called Victory Village. It is a lonely place this year as the Blue Tar Heelers up to last week, had a whopping one victory over powerhouse James Madison U. However, the Hurricanes of Miami blew into town last week and lo and behold! The Heelers kicked ‘em right back to the babes at South Beach with a loss. So the Victory Village is littered with wins over schools no one has ever heard of and one or two from football’s top tier. Go Figure.

NC State –
Setting their Homecoming for an October 21 date with Virginia, NCStaters are arranging a ‘Pack Howl’ and pep rally. After looking at the schedule one suspects that the Pack Howl will be preceded by a billion sponsored tailgate parties and tents. The universal allure of the Delta Zeta tent overrides the Wolfpack’s dismal performance on the field. And this invites the question whether the over inebriated alums are set to howl at the football record or at the DZ Sorority float.

Duke –
In a true harmonic convergence of alcohol related events, the 2006 celebration combined Homecoming with Oktoberfest. If the Germans can make beer and dance after drinking, Duke should hire some of ‘em to build a football program. Right now, Duke has one win under their belts – which is a significant improvement over last year. Other special events include hospital tours – presumably the one where they take the Duke players after the Florida State game.

New Mexico State –
The school invested a great deal of brain power in their Homecoming. Included in the events leading to the October 20 game versus Idaho, is a Beans, Burritos and Beer alumni event. This event is followed by a bonfire. At least these two events weren’t scheduled too closely together or campus would look like the Trinity site a few miles north. Reba also performs this year, but on the stage and not on the field. The Aggies are looking into whether or not she has any eligibility left so they can throw her in at cornerback.

Notre Dame? –
No listing of late for any Homecoming events. Perhaps the Irish don’t celebrate it. Most of the campus is still in the deep depression that occurs when devoted fans face up to a solidly losing season. It is tough to celebrate when your 0-8. Well at least the Irish haven’t sunk quite to that level but they can see 0-8 from where they are. If you included losses from last year, the Irish went 8 straight without a win before going to the Rose Bowl and waking up the UCLA Bruins. Even this win isn’t causing many Irish fans to want to hang out in the stadium parking lot. They’ll stay inside to drink their beer or go to Disneyland.

Idaho –
You know when your team plays on the road and teams schedule you for their Homecoming, your team is a dog. But what does Idaho do for their own Homecoming? The Idaho Vandals boast a Homecoming theme called “Living the Legacy.” It is curious why a legacy of Vandalism is something to celebrate. Idaho scheduled it’s own Homecoming game against Fresno State in the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, ID. This yawner isn’t going to pull any more bucks out of the alumni, so the UI folks are gonna have to do something special… like pull out a win.