Homecoming hits the road

October 08, 2008
Brittney Meyer
Staff Writer

Homecoming has come and gone with only T-shirts, memories, and few pictures to remind us of the week. Events kicked off with a pep rally on Monday night. Due to rain earlier in the day, the rally was held at TRAC instead of by the campus pond. Before the it began, however, free yellow t-shirts were handed out on a first come, first serve basis. To no one’s surprise, the line to get one started forming a half-hour early.

Photo by David Clary Beth Hoag, Assistant Director of Student Life, throws candy from the Student Activities Committee float at the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 4 2008. This year's Homecoming theme was "Pardon Our Dust." See more photos in the Homecoming Photo Essay

“I loved the free shirts given out. Watching the dancers wasn’t bad either,” said Tyler Gladu, a freshman, about the pep rally.

While students waited for their t-shirts, the UIS pep band showed off their musical talent and the spirit team danced and tumbled. Seniors David Clary and Lance Ennen then started the pep rally by announcing the homecoming court and boostering support for the men's soccer team.

An activity students enjoyed on Tuesday was the mashed potato sculpting event. According to freshman Melanie Pikfo, it was “a great way to get messy and play with food.” About fifteen students showed up at the PAC patio for this event and made fine art and sculptures from the mushy side item.

On Wednesday, about 165 students attended the Neo-Futurist presentation, almost filling Brooken’s Auditorium. The production featured 30 skits performed in only 60 minutes, with topics ranging from the comical to more serious issues.

“I really enjoyed it, it was a great opportunity to get out and have some fun and get a few laughs in,” said Randy Knuppel, a sophomore accountancy major.

Laughing students and faculty occupied Brooken’s Auditorium on Thursday night because of  comedian Alexandra McHale. According to sophomore English major Jack Harter, “She was extraordinarily engaging with her audience. Her performance continually interacted with me and my friends, telling us that we 'looked like a band' and inviting the whole of the audience to tell their own stories.”

The 2008-2009 Homecoming King and Queen were announced Friday night at the Homecoming dance. Sophomores Charles Olivier and Stephanie Gorsuch walked away with titles, crowns, and sashes. This was Olivier's second year as king.

Justin Bournes, a junior, said he had a good time at the dance, but “[I] disliked the drunken students who were ‘grinding’ on people trying to have a good time. It was making people uneasy.”

“The decorations were awesome, but Homecoming just made me feel like I was in high school again,” murmured freshman Kate Richardson. 

Many students had a great time dancing the night away to the DJ that provided a wide array of music. “The DJ was awesome. There was some good music played,” said Daniel Watkins, a freshman computer science major.

On Saturday, many high school students, community members, and members of the UIS pep/jazz band gathered by the PAC  to show off their talent and prepare for the parade. Lunch was then provided, followed by more practicing, marching, and general playing.

"I had a great time on band day. I learned to play the snare and marched. It just was a lot of fun to interact with other band members from the community," said freshman history major Thomas Funfsinn.

Clubs, teams, and organizations made floats for the parade. A contest was held among the floats for the best ones. To no surprise, the Spirit team’s float took number one. Second place went to the Housing Resident Council, while third was taken by the Student Allied for a Greener Earth (SAGE).

Saturday evening featured the much anticipated soccer game against William Baptist College. The men’s soccer team pulled through once again and dominated against the Eagles, 3-0. The intense game really heated up after the second half when Jakub Piotrowski scored an astonishing two goals in less than two minutes.

Booming fireworks on the east side of campus closed up Saturday night and the homecoming week.

See more photos in the Homecoming Photo Essay