In recent years, Homecoming has been a tradition that hasn’t been in the forefront of many students’
minds.
This year, Homecoming week will be Oct. 13-16.
Attendance at events and popularity has been low, and to remedy this, the university’s Homecoming Committee is making changes to this year’s even.
Activities such as the soccer game, tailgate party, picnic, lighting of the B over Bradley Hall, decorating
contest and coronation of the homecoming king and queen will still be part of the homecoming
schedule, but many more fun events will be held for students.
The lighting of the B will now have a full ceremony, in contrast to past years when very few students attended.
Sophomore recreational therapy major Emily Strudeman said she thinks the changes will increase awareness of Homecoming events.
“Last year I really didn’t know anything about Homecoming,” she said. “All these changes sound good and should be fun.”
The first Brave’s Bowl, a flag football game, is over homecoming
weekend.
Also over homecoming is Graffiti Jam, a public arts festival on Olin Quad.
The Homecoming Committee is searching for student artists to participate. Anyone interested can contact Student Activities at 677-3050.
During the picnic on the quad Oct. 15, performance artist Elliot Fron, a painter and Bradley graduate,
will be featured, along with a Bradley themed graffiti contest.
Senior biology major Charlie Cho said he thinks the changes
will vastly improve students’ views of Homecoming.
“It seems a better direction and more interesting for students,” he said.
That Friday night will also be a men’s basketball Midnight Madness and a bonfire along with an “Across the Decades” Late Night BU.
To top it all off, Jay Leno will perform Oct. 16 in the new arena.
Director of Student Activities Michelle Whited said she hopes homecoming will become an even know campus wide.
“The goal is basically to let everyone know we have a homecoming
and to make a great week for everyone,” she said, “With a sense of pride and school spirit.”
Some students said they think improving Homecoming is a good idea and will help with the sense of apathy usually felt around campus.
“I think it’s awesome and great that they’re making Homecoming a big deal, because it is a big deal,” junior advertising major Anthony Fongaro said.
Whited said to help spread the word to students, Facebook, flyers, word of mouth and the Hilltop Happenings newsletter will be used.
