Written by: Jaymi Firestone
Homecoming got its start on college campuses. It’s origin began as a fall celebration of the first football game of the season. This was the game that alumni would return for. It was a chance for them to return to their alma maters.
Although most early homecomings date back to the beginning of the century, there’s some debate over which school actually began the tradition.
The University of Missouri claims to have invented homecoming in 1911, when the Athletic Director Chester L. Brewer had the bright idea to invite alumni back to their annual game against the University of Kansas. He added more to it by having a spirit rally and parade.
But while Trivial Pursuit and “Jeopardy!” recognize Mizzou as homecoming’s originator, Baylor University in Texas says it held its inaugural homecoming game in 1909. The University of Illinois dates its festivities to 1910, having held it every year since then except in 1918, when it was cancelled because of the influenza pandemic. Regardless of where it originated though, homecoming has spread throughout the country and into high schools.
It developed some signatures along the way, including a parade with floats, a football game, a dance in the evening, and the election of a homecoming court.
At this point, many schools jack up the excitement by dedicating an entire week to homecoming called “Spirit Week,” where students and staff participate in dressing to a different theme each day.
While some traditions are universal, schools around the country have coined their own personal traditions for this special weekend on campus.
Arizona State University hosts a “Lantern Walk,” where students, alumni, and faculty carry lit candles up ‘A’ Mountain, a butte of volcanic rock with a giant letter “A” at the top. The lantern walk takes place the Friday evening before the big game, and the tradition began in 1917.
In Texas and other southern states, students exchange homecoming mums. Which are corsages worn by both guys and girls. And if you’ve ever seen these mums, you know we’re not talking about a little cluster of flowers. These are massive pins worn at the chest or around the upper arm, which are frequently tricked out with bells, trinkets, stuffed animal mascots, and even LED lights. Ribbons extend from the bottom, trailing down to the shin or ankle. Should the urge strike, you can purchase a mum on Etsy for anywhere from $12 to a couple hundred dollars. There’s also a local seller near the curve in Portales.
From an outsider’s perspective, getting stoked about something like homecoming mums or a lantern walk seems crazy. But tradition is only as absurd as your distance from it.
ENMU hosted their first homecoming in 1934. This year brings their 84th Homecoming Celebration, which includes their annual “Songfest” (musical skits performed by students), a city-wide parade, bonfire, crowning of a King and Queen, and of course, the football game.
The traditions of Homecoming are what make it such a special weekend for young and old people alike. Alumni experience a sense of nostalgia, and students celebrate school spirit. It’s a time in a community that brings everyone together, and a tradition that will continue for many years to come.
