Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Mizzou Half-way To Homecoming
Adam Buckallew, reporter, CAFNR Corner Post

October 19, 2003 - The University of Missouri homecoming festivities have begun once again, as Mizzou celebrates its 92nd annual homecoming.

Homecoming at Missouri started in 1911 and it was the first-ever homecoming game in the history of football. The original homecoming events included a spirit rally, parade and football game.

Since the inaugural homecoming game, homecoming at Mizzou has become one of the University's biggest events of the year. Now homecoming events have expanded to community service, campus decorations, talent competitions and many other events.

The first official homecoming event was the Tigers Taming Hunger, a food drive that supports the Central Missouri Food Bank. Students delivered grocery bags to Columbia residents on Sept. 27th and returned on Oct. 4th to pick up the donated groceries.

The Tiger Tango was held Oct. 10th at the Columbia Area Senior Center. The Tiger Tango is an opportunity for volunteers to dance with senior citizens to live music and jazz up a senior citizen's night.

The Homecoming blood drive is a two day event that was held Oct. 14th and 15th. The blood drive was held at the Hearnes Center Fieldhouse. The blood drive gives volunteers the opportunity to donate blood that could end up saving someone's life. The blood drive deferral day will be Tuesday, Oct. 21st from 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Campus Recreational Center.

Students visited Columbia Public Schools Oct. 16th on the Homecoming Day of Reading. Student volunteers picked books to read to elementary students. The activity helped foster stronger bonds between Mizzou and the community in an effort to promote reading with elementary students.

The 5K Run/Walk was held Oct. 18th at 9 a.m. at Stankowski Field. Participants ran from Stankowski Field to downtown Columbia then back around campus and the run finished at Stankowski. The Tiger Cub Run, for kids under 13, was held prior to the 5K. Entrance fees for the race went towards supporting the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Columbia.

The Preliminary Talent Competition will be held on Monday, October 20th and Tuesday, October 21st with Finals on Thursday, October 23rd. The show will start at 6:30 p.m. each night. The Talent Competiti ons feature skits, songs and dance routines along with In Between Acts (IBAs). Announcements for skit and IBA finals will be made on Tuesday night, October 21st at midnight.

The Residence Halls will be holding their 5th annual barbecues on Wednesday, October 22 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. These barbecues will give students a chance to show their black and gold pride while meeting new friends and enjoying a free meal. Games, music, and more fun are scheduled for entertainment.

Campus Decorations will be unveiled at 6 p.m. Friday, October 24th. Various Greek pairings and triads will show off their hard work for the community with shows performed in Greek Town. This year's theme is Looney Tunes, so expect plenty of fun characters and stories that are sure to please the entire family. Following the Campus Decorations there will be a spirit rally held to support the Tiger football team.

Sheryl Crow will be making a special appearance Saturday, October 25th, as she rides through the Homecoming Parade. Crow, an award winning recording artist and MU alumna, will serve as Grand Marshal for the parade. Campus organization's floats, Marching Mizzou, and many more will be at the parade at 8 a.m.

Last but not least, the Missouri Tigers will take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Memorial Field Saturday, October 25th. The Tigers will be looking for their sixth win of the season and a victory for the homecoming crowd. The game should be exciting because it features two of the Big 12 conference's best quarterbacks in Missouri's Brad Smith and Texas Tech's B.J. Symons. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m.

Back to archive

Disclaimer: The commentaries on this page are the opinions of one person and may not reflect the views of everybody at CAFNR Corner Post.