Friday, October 20, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B - Page 7
Homecoming has evolved through years
Kansan correspondent
By Louise Stauffer
Kansas correspondent
During the years, enthusiasm for homecoming and the number of homecoming activities has waned at the University of Kansas.
"Homecoming isn't homecoming anymore," said David Ambler, vice chancellor for student affairs.
Ambler has been at the University for 24 years and has seen homecoming activities change in his time.
"Now, homecoming is just another theme for a football weekend. It hasn't been a big deal like it is at football powerhouse schools," Amber said. "I think that the biggest contributors to homecoming spirit are the Greeks because they are more competitive in spirit."
Laura Henry, Fort Scott sophomore and member of Chi Omega sorority, agreed.
"Since football isn't a big thing here, greeks are the only ones who really do anything," Henry said. "There's a large part of the student population that doesn't do anything. The only reason you want to go to the parade is so you can be late to class."
Some activities that used to take place to motivate the student body for homecoming weekend have changed.
"The kinds of activities that go on during homecoming have certainly changed over the years." Ambler said. "When I first came here, rather than floats and a parade, the
greeks decorated their houses. The decorations were really elaborate, and gave the campus a very festive feel."
Ambler said the tradition was put to rest because it took too much time. During the years, other homecoming activities — such as the homecoming dance and electing a homecoming court — have also ceased.
"I'm not really sure why the social activities like the dance stopped," he said.
Spirit has changed, and so has the actual meaning of homecoming. In the 1950s, the homecoming queen nominees were outfitted with fur coats and accompanied by their own ROTC escort.
"I think the stop of the homecoming queen at KU started in the '60s and '70s with the women's movement," Ambler said.
The definition of homecoming changed during the years, and depends on whether a student is greek, a color guard member or just your average student. To some, homecoming is just another football weekend. To others, it is a weekend of activities planned to the minute.
Cassie Cool, Wichita freshman, is a color guard member. Despite changes to KU traditions, she said she liked the University's attitude.
"I think that homecoming here is bigger than it was in high school," she said. "It's not a popularity contest anymore. I think the spirit is stronger in general."
— Edited by Clay McCuistion
- Edited by Clay McCuistion
Crimson and blue blood runs thick in veins
Guest Columnist
Amanda Wolfe
Attending the University of Kansas was my destiny. It was all planned out, before I was even born.
I can imagine my parents talking about it:
"Our child must carry on the tradition. She will be a Jayhawk!"
I am a third-generation student who comes from a strong line of Jayhawk fans. My whole family has its roots in Kansas. Not only did my grandparents and parents attend KU, but aunts and uncles from both sides of the family also matriculated here. My cousin is a sophomore. One of my uncles graduated.twice from KU — once with his bachelor's degree and again when he received his master's.
The fact that almost my whole family attended KU heavily influenced my decision to come to Lawrence.
I never questioned my parents' influence either; I just allowed it to happen. I began to see how a love of KU infused my family and slowly that same love spread to me.
When I was younger, on cool fall weekends, my parents and I would visit Lawrence and walk around campus. I remember so many things about the surroundings that drew me in. I was intrigued by the mystery of the Phog, curious about the odd structure of Wescoe and amazed by the chimes of the Campanile. When I visited the campus I immediately knew I belonged.
Being such a big KU fan, I also grew up with a hatred for Kansas State and Missouri. My parents never encouraged me to check out the Jayhawks' archrivals in Manhattan or Columbia.
I'm not sure what would have happened if I chose another school. I'd probably never hear the end of it from my parents. They would wear those "A House Divided" shirts all the time.
So I knew that considering another school was not an option. But those other schools weren't important to me — they lacked the significance that KU had in my life. I did
Larry Wolfe, father of Amanda Wolfe, Overland Park freshman, also attended the University of Kansas and assured that his daughter did, too. Contributed art
Larry Wolfe sits next to the fountain near the chancellor's house. Wolfe encouraged his daughter to attend the University of Kansas. Amando Wolfe, Overland Park freshman, is the third generation of her maily to attend the University. She wants her children to attend the University as well. Contributed art
n't ever apply to any other schools. I knew KU was where I wanted to be.
Now that I'm a freshman here, I still have all of the same feelings I did when I was younger. I walk around campus as a student now, feeling as though I'm among others brought up the same way. I'm experiencing the traditions and history of KU, and it reminds me of all my relatives who have passed through the Campanile on their graduation days.
Someday, my own kids will be brought up as I was, with an appreciation for our family's love of KU.
They will become fourth-generation students, carrying on the tradition, whether they like it or not.
Because anyone born into this family is destined to be a Jahawk.
Wolfe is an Overland Park freshman.