Celebrating tradition: History of CMU's Homecoming, schedule of 2018 events
Homecoming has endured many changes since its creation in 1924. However, it remains an opportunity for friends to come together, alumni to meet today's students and for CMU to showcase what makes the university part of the greater Mount Pleasant community.
With events such as the Vietnam War or changes in city ordinances, the tradition of homecoming is one that has evolved with time.
This year's Homecoming takes place Saturday, Oct. 6. Before we begin that celebration, we take a look back at 1924 where it all began.
HISTORY
Homecoming at CMU began in 1924 when a student went to scout Albion's football team before an upcoming game. The student, Bourke "Dutch" Lodwyk, returned with information on the team and something he never witnessed before — Homecoming.
After gaining approval by university administration, the first celebration started that year with a pep rally, bonfire and dance. The morning after consisted of more than 100 cars parading through Main Street, flags that adorned the entire town and a "rush" that took place at Broadway Theatre.
"Rushing" was a student tradition, frowned on by administrators at the university, where students would rush past the ticket takers to enjoy free entertainment.
One of the wildest Homecoming traditions may be the Elvira Scratch gag that lasted from 1952 to 1981. The not-so-serious candidate for Homecoming queen rode on obscene floats during parades. One year, she was seen riding a toilet through Mount Pleasant.
Scratch was noted for her hairy legs, beard, tasteless choice in dress, lack of sanitation and liking of beer. Alongside her outrageous appearance, she is also remembered for her annual attempt to kiss administration members during half-time.
Things began to die down in the 1960s when the university's culture started to change. Homecoming was viewed as a "Greek event" and deemed irrelevant by some students on campus.
Alumni became sick of the rock 'n' roll favored by students and created their own dance. Fraternities and sororities followed their lead, further separating the once inclusive event.
The university could no longer fund all of the separate dances, abandoning them completely in 1974.
The pep rally no longer attracted students. The fire, normally the climax of the event, was outlawed by a Mount Pleasant city ordinance, which prohibited outdoor burning.
Attempts to spark student interest in Homecoming failed for years. Without their support, many were worried that the tradition would be nothing but history.
A new idea came forward in the mid-1970s that revitalized the spirit of Homecoming. Instead of celebrating the students, administration focused on alumni.
The parade was reconstructed. Pep rallies reappeared and fireworks made an appearance, dazzling audiences that were once uninterested.
Traditions lost, like the bonfire and "Indian pageantry," were replaced by tailgate parties and "Gold Ambassadors" who are elected based on service to the university and community.
TODAY
CMU will celebrate Homecoming 2018 this weekend with a football game against the Buffalo Bulls at noon in Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
Coaching legend Roy Kramer will lead this year's celebration as grand marshal. Kramer served as Central Michigan's head coach for 10 years, leading the Chippewas to the NCAA Division II national championship.
Kramer was named Division II National Coach of the Year, leading his team 12-1 on their way to the championship. He was later inducted into the Marcy Weston Central Michigan Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987.
Aside from football, the CMU Homecoming 5k Run/Walk and Mile Fun Walk has been a tradition for more than 30 years. The run/walk will take place at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.
The race starts Homecoming morning with a course than begins at Finch Fieldhouse. The proceeds help support children and adults with intellectual disabilities through Special Olympics Michigan.
The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. in Parking Lot 22, the lot between Washington Street and railroad tracks near Pearce and Anspach halls. The parade will travel through campus before diverting toward downtown Mount Pleasant.
Executive Director of Alumni Relations and Development Strategies Marcie Otteman said Homecoming is a unique opportunity for alumni across the nation to come back to CMU.
"If you've never had a chance to see how many people are in maroon and gold, I'd say you can feel the energy more than any other time on campus," she said.
Otteman noted that Homecoming is a time where all students and alumni feel a part of something much bigger.
"It's different than any other football game weekend. Football is a part of it, but Homecoming is about so much more than a game day Saturday," Otteman said. "We'll have 3,000 plus people who visit the Alumni Village."
During Alumni Village, which is open from 9 a.m. to noon, academic colleges will have tents set up with food and giveaways. Faculty and staff will also be present to greet alumni back to campus. The village will be set up near Rose Ponds.
The annual cardboard boat race will commence at 10 a.m. at Rose Ponds. Students in the engineering programs at CMU work two weeks in advance of the game, building boats from cardboard and duct tape.
The first race was completed in 1988 and has since skyrocketed in popularity. The boats compete while sailing across the pond, with the winning team being the first to touch the other side.
Canadian Lakes freshman Alexander Roesly said he was homeschooled during high school. He said this will be the first year he gets to witness Homecoming firsthand.
"Most of my expectations of Homecoming are just a dance, a football game, most of the time alcohol is involved — that's just what you see from TV and stuff like that," Roesly said.
Roesly plans on taking photos during homecoming, partly because of his photojournalism major. Other than taking photos, he said he has no idea what to expect over the course of the weekend.
It's been 94 years since the first Homecoming that was celebrated at the university. The traditions of the past are carried while adapting to present culture and expectations on campus.
