Question on Homecoming

**DaddyMac** · 10-13-2008, 01:13 PM

Does anyone really care about it?

Do you, or anyone you know, make a point to head to campus or the game just because it's homecoming?

Personally, I don't. Season tickets anyway - so it's just another game on the schedule. When I was in school I paid minor attention to it, only because there were the extra sports competitions, homecoming tournaments and such.

And when I was in the fraternity, there was all the hub-bub of greek homecoming events.

Otherwise, ehhh... Never cared once about high school homecoming.

Just wondering. I've read a few people talking about "homecoming crowds" and such for the A&M game. I've never noticed much difference. In attitudes, energy or even much in the way of attendance.

**BryceC** · 10-13-2008, 01:15 PM

The attendance usually gets a little bump. At least the tickets sold does. However now that I'm graduated I don't even know what there is to do for graduates around homecoming time other than go to the game.

**The_Architect** · 10-13-2008, 01:20 PM

Completely agree. I just go to the game like normal.

**cybsball20** · 10-13-2008, 01:22 PM

I have never understood why homecoming isn't a bigger deal in Iowa as a whole. Iowa had a terrible crowd for homecoming and it never seems to be a big deal to ISU fans either. Down south the season revolves around homecoming, it doesn't matter who they play, in fact alot of schools used to (not so much anymore) schedule cupcakes for homecoming to ensure a win and get a good crowd despite a bad opponent.

Florida and Florida State both have huge pep rallies on Friday night. Florida State has PowWow where they pep squads and school circus perform (yes, FSU has a circus school). They always have a comedian headline, this year it's Jimmy Fallon. \

Florida has Gator Growl, here is a wiki on it. There is also no school for the University, near by community college, and public schools in the county, everyone goes to the parade...

Gator Growl is a student run pep rally at the University of Florida. It marks the culminating moment of Homecoming Week at the university. Generally regarded as the largest student-run pep rally in the world, the show is held annually in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (also known as "The Swamp") at the University of Florida. In the past, Gator Growl has attracted well-known entertainers such as Robin Williams, Dennis Miller, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Richard Jeni, Paula Poundstone, Bob Hope, and Dane Cook. A special portion of the show is reserved for celebrity cameo appearances. In the past, cameo appearances have included former Presidents George H. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as entertainment icons such as David Letterman, Katie Couric and "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
This year, the theme of Gator Growl is "Road to the Swamp", a politically-charged theme chosen for the event's proximity to Election Day. Gator Growl will present comedian Jon Reep, winner of Last Comic Standing, as its main performer on October 24, 2008. Gator Growl's musicial talent for 2008 will be the Steve Miller Band [1]
Gator Growl is credited with inspiring Orange Peel (event), a similar event held annually at Oklahoma State University after a group of students, faculty and alumni traveled to Gainesville in 1995 to witness the event.

Over time, the Gator Growl production grew with the advancement of technology to its current scale. Today, it is a showcase of athletic talent and spirited tradition; a spectacle of fireworks, light displays, live music, and comedy. More than 500 student volunteers work for thousands of hours to coordinate the night of festivities for the University of Florida community. Producers, assistant directors, and staff members are in charge of the production, execution, promotion and dismantling of the show. These student volunteers earn Gator Growl its beloved nickname, “the world’s largest student-run pep rally!” Gator Growl is also primarily produced and run by members of UF's large Greek community, who hold almost all of the leadership positions.
The majority of the manual labor associated with this major production, however, is provided by University of Florida students who work at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, the University of Florida's on-campus arena. The event takes more than a week to physically set up and requires more than 200 student employees to do so. Because Gator Growl is always held the night before a home football game, these students must work all night to remove every trace of the event by the following morning. Like all aspects of Gator Growl, the physical construction is also student-run with primary responsiblity falling on the Production Lead--the student technician charged with coordinating and supervising all of the other student employees. The Production Lead and the Head Electrician (also a student) will typically serve as an apprentice to the position the year prior.
In its long history, Gator Growl has been recognized by Good Morning America, Comedy Central, Entertainment Tonight and many other popular culture outlets—“What is Gator Growl?” was even the response to an answer on Jeopardy!.

**Palmer** · 10-13-2008, 01:23 PM

Homecoming

A lot of the events are open to the public....lot of them pretty fun.

**josier** · 10-13-2008, 01:24 PM

It's not much different for me (season tickets, live in Des Moines), but a lot of my friends who don't normally come back for games will come back for homecoming.

**PGreen ISU '92** · 10-13-2008, 01:28 PM

Weather will have a bigger say on the size of the crowd than Homecoming. Here’s hoping for a sunny unseasonably warm beautiful fall day in Ames! Leaves turned just right! Nothing better! Go Cyclones!

**danrog** · 10-13-2008, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by josier

It's not much different for me (season tickets, live in Des Moines), but a lot of my friends who don't normally come back for games will come back for homecoming.

This is really all I notice. After graduating, me and the guys can't get together unless there is some event to gather us all up(some live out of state.) We decided homecoming was a good idea...

**Palmer** · 10-13-2008, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by cybsball20

I have never understood why homecoming isn't a bigger deal in Iowa as a whole. Iowa had a terrible crowd for homecoming and it never seems to be a big deal to ISU fans either. Down south the season revolves around homecoming, it doesn't matter who they play, in fact alot of schools used to (not so much anymore) schedule cupcakes for homecoming to ensure a win and get a good crowd despite a bad opponent.

Florida and Florida State both have huge pep rallies on Friday night. Florida State has PowWow where they pep squads and school circus perform (yes, FSU has a circus school). They always have a comedian headline, this year it's Jimmy Fallon. \

Florida has Gator Growl, here is a wiki on it. There is also no school for the University, near by community college, and public schools in the county, everyone goes to the parade...

I hate Florida.

cluttered with smelly old folk and crime.

hopefully that big toe will crack off and fall into the ocean someday.

/my kids did like Disney/

**IcSyU** · 10-13-2008, 01:36 PM

I try to pay attention to campaniling

Now to find my candidate for campaniling...

**cybsball20** · 10-13-2008, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Palmer

I hate Florida.

cluttered with smelly old folk and crime.

hopefully that big toe will crack off and fall into the ocean someday.

/my kids did like Disney/

We gonna turn this into another State vs. State thing?

I don't know why we cant have a huge pep rally in Hilton. Get a commedian and a band to headline, maybe have yell like hell or something there too, skits, could be awesome... You would definately get alot more Alumni to go...

**CYVADER** · 10-13-2008, 01:56 PM

better question about homecoming. when was the last time we won one?

**clones26** · 10-13-2008, 01:57 PM

The Florida stuff sounds more like Veishea to me. I have about 15 friends that are coming into town for the game, only one they make the whole year. Some of them will stay at my house in DSM, so that means we will only be in Ames to tailgate and go to the game.

**cybsball20** · 10-13-2008, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by clones26

The Florida stuff sounds more like Veishea to me. I have about 15 friends that are coming into town for the game, only one they make the whole year. Some of them will stay at my house in DSM, so that means we will only be in Ames to tailgate and go to the game.

Yeah, it does a bit, just a mich larger scale. There is alot that goes on for the students and what not for homecoming but it is supposed to get the ALUMNI to "come home". My Florida grad friends flock back from all over, without thinking twice. It would be great if ISU grads felt that same way.