YOUR TURN: Events have potential with the right attitude, student attention
Phil Friend
What are the keys to an extremely successful Homecoming? The number one answer, of course, would be alcohol, but what other things would you mention?
For one, Homecoming events should always be centered on students, and secondly, events should increase attendance and school pride.
And for the sports dorks, Homecoming also definitely involves having a good football team.
But how can you successfully put all of these together?
Having a football team that hasn't had a winning record in this century brings down Homecoming. We do play a monster schedule, but still our Mid-American Conference record hasn't been all that impressive recently. How can you have an awesome Homecoming crowd when you are 1-4 and have been crushed by Iowa, Boston College and Auburn?
Outside of the football game, though, we're having some problems putting on a successful Homecoming week. There are some events that are centered on students, of course, but they aren't centered only on students - or on all the students.
If you take a look at the Daily News' pictures from the Kick-Off, you almost get the impression that you are required to be in a club or a fraternity to participate in the events. If I wanted to perform Patrick Swayze and Chris Farley's Chippendales skit from Saturday Night Live with a friend of mine at Air Jam, I would wonder if a lack of affiliation might hurt us in our attempt to win the contest.
Still, if there's one event that does bring out the best moments of Homecoming week, it's Air Jam. I'm no expert, but having a carillon concert isn't really the right way to get students involved - I realize we have a huge bell tower stuck in the middle of McKinley Avenue, and we need to use it to some capacity, but come on.
Air Jam does get students to attend and builds excitement, but it is hard to say Homecoming's general focus is on the students when there's so much focus on alumni. I understand that one of the main reasons for Homecoming is to bring alumni for a celebration of our fine institution, but let's face it: They are coming back to meet up with old friends, talk about the crazy house parties they went to on Carson Street and to get as drunk as humanly possible. They're not coming back for the carillon concert, so let's make the events more about the people who should actually be coming to them.
"[The events] are for freshmen, and they are really lame," senior Joe Stuckey said. "I'm definitely all about supporting my school and attending the football game, but seeing some lame RAs and a former SGA president on a bike doing crappy stunts that I used to enjoy when I was 10 years old and watched "Double Dare" does not seem appealing to the aging student - not mature, but aging."
Senior Brandon Prebysnki is also bored with these events. "The only events I have attended in the past are the parade and the football game," he said. "I don't have specific plans to attend any others. ... I don't really have any interest in attending any."
If the events are going to bring students out and get students excited about Ball State, they're going to have to be a better use of students' time.
"I'm way too busy, and don't know anyone in them, so why go?" senior Audra Miller asked. Also, she doesn't belong to any club or fraternity. Interesting.
So what can we do to change the events so that students actually attend?
Well, I think that seeing President Jo Ann Gora getting slimed "Double Dare"-style would be a good start, just for entertainment purposes.
An event I would really like to see is a free concert on LaFollette Field or at Worthen Arena. I don't see why we wouldn't able to bring a band like The Killers or even someone like Journey. Ron White was here a few weeks ago - even he would've worked well for Homecoming.
Every year, Texas A&M has a big bonfire where thousands of logs are stacked then ignited on Friday night, and everyone celebrates in preparation for the weekend's game. If we could do something like that, I definitely think the student body would rally around it.
In fact, a couple of major events like that, along with the Bed Race and Air Jam, and I think we would have an excellent Homecoming week - with students who are interested and actually attending the events.
Homecoming can be a lot of fun for everyone if it is done right.
Write to Phil at
prfriend@bsu.edu
TALES OF THE OVERACHIEVER: Steering committee handles responsibility with great pride, work
Danielle Coulter
While Homecoming participants may be "in it to win it," most of them claim to be in it to have fun and take pride in their university.
This is no surprise, when Homecoming events include the unusual Bed Race and the energetic Air Jam - events that other Indiana universities do not have. While places such as Butler and Purdue universities have typical Homecoming events such as guest lectures, class reunions and decorating contests, Ball State University has found a way to appeal to the masses and give students a recreational break.
"These activities are fun and offer a break from the daily grind of classes and formal education," Brent Lyle, one of the top 10 royalty candidates, said.
And on top of that, the events can give students a new perspective on Ball State.
"I'm full of school spirit now, and I'm ready to get out there and cheer on the [football] team for a win!" Chris Clemens, another royalty candidate, said.
Some might question why Homecoming is a big deal on our campus, since there is not a championship football team right now and the alumni are only visible during this time of the year.
For those involved with Homecoming, it's simple: The point is to bring people together, while showing school spirit and supporting our fellow students and athletes.
Royalty candidate Michele Faroh agrees, "Homecoming is a great way to connect alumni and current students, enjoy how Ball State has grown and show pride in its history."
While a definite number cannot be given, an estimated 30,000 alumni and friends of the university participate in some way - whether it's serving as emcees or just attending the parade and football game.
However, the alumni have a much greater effect during the week than even they know - they are able to instill in students an unwavering sense of pride for the university's past, present and future.
This history includes large-scale events that are successful when it comes to participation and attendance. The vote for Homecoming royalty drew at least 17,000 votes, which figures to about 5,666 students in participation - much more than the number of votes for the Student Government Association elections.
Impressive numbers have also turned out for the Bed Race, which in recent years has drawn in around 860 students, and Air Jam, which is by far the most popular event. In fact, over 2,600 people have shown up in the last two years to support the Air Jam participants. Catering to the loyal followers of these two events, the Homecoming Steering Committee ensures that they are the focus of Homecoming week year after year.
Obviously, the main focus of Homecoming is student life, and a large number of student organizations find their own ways to help with Homecoming festivities. In 2004, Homecoming attracted 86 student-led organizations, and this year, 89 are participating.
Not only are organizations an easy and successful way to get more students to show their Homecoming spirit, but working on Homecoming also allows students to network with their peers and form long-lasting relationships among organizations. Many times, this camaraderie of Homecoming leads to student groups co-sponsoring other events throughout the year. Student organizations are like the students themselves, with differing schedules and interests, but Homecoming week allows these organizations to see the commonality between them - not least of which are pride in their university and the desire to have fun while serving the campus and community.
Homecoming week continues to do a great job of supporting Ball State and its neighbors, according to royalty candidate Matthew Mattmiller.
"Homecoming is clearly effective in creating a positive atmosphere, creating a fun time and welcoming back all the alumni," he said.
Furthermore, Mattmiller notes that school spirit is all around us during Homecoming, in the form of decorated office windows and Ball State banners flying around campus.
"[Homecoming] would be even more efficient and well-rounded if ... we could improve relations with the campus collective and the university's minority groups," Lyle said.
Homecoming is best summarized as a time for fun and support, an idea that students who don't participate might not have grasped.
"This week is all about showcasing the best Ball State has to offer," Mattmiller said. "And I am very proud to be a part of it."
That pride of Ball State students is what makes Homecoming - this year and every year - such a success.
Write to Danielle at
drcoulter@bsu.edu
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