The sound of upbeat music and cheering voices echoed throughout the halls of Irving Gym during Monday's pep rally.
Homecoming Steering Committee Adviser Michelle Johnson said the rally, which featured Cornhole, tug-of-war and relay race tournaments, served as a kickoff for a week of Homecoming activities.
About 490 students showed up to the event, she said.
The Ball State University cheerleaders, drumline and Code Red dancers performed at the event while Charlie Cardinal danced along to the music.
The tournaments began with a bang as students cheered for their friends and teammates.
Teams of two faced off in the cornhole tournament, aiming their bean bags at the targets on each wooden board.
Tug-of-war teams consisted of four members each, and the tournament was divided into female and male competitions.
Freshman secondary math education major Jenna Day said her team, made up of four Woodworth Complex residents, won the female division of the tug-of-war tournament.
"Some of the rounds were very challenging," she said. "I have calluses on my hands."
Students who participated in the relay race had to make it through five obstacles with the fastest time. The obstacles included a three-legged race, spinning around a baseball bat 10 times, riding a tricycle, hopping in potato sacks and throwing a football through a hoop.
Senior health science major Tara Presley said some of the obstacles were harder than others.
"We had trouble with the bat spinning and the three-legged race," she said. "We still managed to win, though. That was the best part."
The pep rally is traditionally held the Monday before Homecoming as a way to build excitement, Johnson said.
"It's a great way to get people pumped up for the rest of the week and for the game," she said.