Homecoming: Competitions bring out spirit

Residence halls do not compete against the Greek community.

By Brad Fischer

Published Oct. 20, 2006

With the residence hall Homecoming competitions, MU strives to involve the entire campus community, Student Life Director Mark Lucas said.

"We want to send the message that Homecoming is not just a white fraternity event," Lucas said. "We want to involve as many residence halls and floors as possible, as well as the minority student organizations."

The residence halls compete in different Homecoming events to accumulate points. There is a separate winner for each competition, as well as an overall winner.

Homecoming tri-director James Tvrdy said most halls participate in some, but not every, Homecoming event.

"The residential halls are eligible to participate in all aspects of Homecoming," he said. "However, a few events are not very feasible for them to do, but we do encourage them to participate in as many ways as possible. Many residence halls participate in the banner competition, merchandise sales, parade, blood drive, service, royalty, 5K run and residence hall barbecue."

Those who participate in the blood drive, merchandise sales, service and royalty competitions are all awarded points based on standards set in the Homecoming rulebook.

Members of the community and MU faculty and staff are the judges for the banner, barbecue and parade competitions.

The residence hall barbecues and banners were judged on Wednesday. The parade floats will be judged en route on Saturday.

Mark Twain residence hall coordinator Jennifer Fellabaum said residents created a banner that depicted three tigers surrounding a small wildcat. The border had scores of past Homecoming games, and "Pride in the Past" is written on top of the banner.

"Several students worked on it for over 40 hours combined between drawing, design, tracing it on to the paper and hanging," Fellabaum said.

Events like the banner competition build community, she said.

"We really try to get students to participate," she said. "Homecoming helps to show students that they are a part of Mizzou and that it is a great place to be."

Residence halls do not compete against the Greek chapters.

Nola Johnson, Homecoming special projects committee member, helped organize the residence hall barbecues and said she believes that it is important for students to be involved in Homecoming events.

"We want the students to have spirit and pride in the university knowing that they were able to contribute to such a big event," Johnson said.