Some may think homecoming is associated with football games; we do things a little differently here at DU.
Homecoming, which took place Oct. 17-19, involves a formal dance, a revived parade down University Boulevard and most importantly, a hockey game where students and parents can watch DU skate to victory.
Despite some lack of interest in the events, homecoming was an attempt to boost school spirit. It was to get students excited about the upcoming hockey season and have some giveaways so people can show off the crimson and gold. During the first intermission of the Friday night hockey game, the hall of fame inductees were announced. The first inductee was a man who bled crimson and gold for the majority of his life: Jim Bain, former member of the swimming team back in 1964-1965 and head swimming and diving coach for 32 years. Ferd Dreher, a football, basketball, track and baseball star who graduated in 1939; Cliff Koroll, a hockey player who graduated in 1965; Annette Wagner a women’s soccer player who graduated in 1993; and Jack Pommrehn received special contribution. This was a chance for former students not only to return to a place they called home, but to be recognized for their accomplishments by the present students.
It was a part of joining past and present, to recognize pioneer accomplishments and cheer present pioneers to victory.
The whole homecoming charade for students started Thursday night with a formal dance. Friday night was the first of two hockey games during the weekend. This year DU faced off against the unranked Northeastern Huskies and skated to two consecutive victories with scores of 5-2 and 6-3.
Did anyone notice that royalty seems to be associated with either the homecoming association or the AUSA senate? It may just be me, but I can’t figure out how royalty is elected.
Last year, I voted for one of my friends who was nominated, but he still can’t figure out how he was nominated. Chris Adams, AUSA president, was elected prince, and Eric Johnson, a senior senator and pro-tempore was king. Micaela Morenz, AUSA vice president was queen and even Megan Fullerton, chair of homecoming was nominated but didn’t win. Besides getting a flower at the dance, royalty got to walk down the red carpet at the second intermission of the Saturday hockey game.
This year saw the return of the homecoming parade. With University Boulevard closed, some fraternities, sororities, sports teams and other organizations marched from Wesley to Asbury before turning into the Ritchie Center. In addition to our many-time national champion ski team there were class members from the class of 1968 and 1978. It was a chance for the past to meet the present. A chance for DU students to see what lies ahead.
Homecoming is more than just for the student, it is a chance for reunions, a chance for the alumni to return to a place they once called home and remind all of us of the history of our institution.
