The sounds of screaming students were louder than the DJ during the first night of Homecoming events at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center on Monday night.
The gym was packed with students from different organizations competing in corn hole tournaments, rounds of tug-of-war and rounds of root beer pong.
Senior telecommunications major Cassandra Trent said Homecoming has a special meaning for her.
"It just really represents school spirit," she said. "It does give you that overwhelming sense of community that you might not get otherwise."
Junior public relations major Kristin Slevin said Homecoming brings everyone together on campus.
"There's not a person on campus who doesn't get pumped up and excited for Homecoming," she said.
Slevin is a member of the service sorority Epsilon Sigma Alpha. This year, a day of service called Ball State Saves the Day is tied into this year's Homecoming theme, "It's a Bird ... It's a Game ... It's Homecoming!"
"I'm really glad they added service day," Slevin said. "As a service sorority, it means a lot for us to give our members additional opportunities to go do service."
Junior nursing major Lucas Keay said Homecoming is also a way to show off school pride, even if some attendees are no longer students.
"This is the basis of all college," Keay said. "If we didn't have Homecoming, there'd be really nothing keeping alumni and students coming back and having fun and supporting our school spirit."
The groups in attendance came from residence halls, greek organizations and various independent groups, such as University Singers. Members of each group displayed what organization they belonged to by wearing T-shirts with various logos on them. Everyone involved rooted for their fellow students during the different events they participated in.
"Our alumni come, so I get to see everyone I might not have seen throughout the year." Trent said. "I would say this is my favorite university event during the year."
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