LAST YEAR, the homecomings tradition was revived by an ambitious and determined University Programs Council in the form of Madbowl Madness, which featured Sister Hazel, a pep rally and an attendance peak of 3,500.This year's homecomings event, extended to cover an entire weekend (appropriately named Homecomings Weekend), featured last Friday's pep rally, which was relocated to Memorial Gym due to unfavorable weather conditions.Regardless of temporary setbacks and short-term student apathy, homecomings can -- with the help of a University-wide effort -- become an exciting and anticipated tradition here in Charlottesville.
For a University-wide effort to be initiated, the University as a whole must be convinced of the potential that lies within the social spirit of a school homecomings.Although the pep rally was by far the largest project, students should not forget that Homecomings included many other successful events, such as Pancakes for Parkinson's, which raised a whopping $5,000 in a matter of three hours. The pep rally attracted upwards of 1,500 students, who came to enjoy food, Stroke 9 (we all know "Little Black Backpack") and the massive contributions put forth by the Athletics Department.According to UPC Special Events Chair Kate Daughdrill, "Athletics was very responsive to our requests. They contributed financially, paid for a full page ad in the Cav Daily, donated all of the Pepsi products available at the event, and offered the voice of the Cavaliers Mac McDonald, the cheerleaders, dance team, football players, and head coach."
A similarly planned event next year, with equal or more money, can only be expected to be even more organized and more successful.This event would not only revitalize the football team and help their mental game -- it would offer students an entertaining large-scale University event.
When establishing that pursuing this goal is desirable on many levels, the natural path of thought leads us to inquire how the University can improve and strengthen the newfound tradition of Homecomings.First of all, more money should be allocated in order to secure a better band.The past two years have featured "washed-up" bands such as Stroke 9 and Sister Hazel, simply because the school has earmarked $15,000, which in the world of bands can only procure the "wash-ups."Obviously, the University cannot spring for a top-notch band the first year we try, but after two successes, UPC deserves and has expressed interest in receiving more funds in order to create an even bigger event.A band like Incubus or Third Eye Blind would surely bring in a crowd over 3,500, and, in fact, the burden on the University could be alleviated by charging students a few dollars to get in, a charge most students will deem well worth it, considering Incubus concerts range from $20-50.Such an upgrade would elevate the pep rally from something to pass the time to the event nobody misses.
Furthermore, Homecomings Weekend should, with the help of the University and interested CIOs, become Homecomings Week.Fundraisers, tailgates, movie events, basketball tournaments and countless other activities could be organized in celebration of Homecomings Week, granted a coordinated effort could be organized.CIOs could do their own plugs and thus by acting in their own self-interest, act in the overall interest of Homecomings Week.Involving CIOs on a large-scale would greatly enlarge the number of participants, because the CIOs could not only encourage their members to attend, but they could help publicize the event through advertising.
After securing the help of an already generous University, as well as that of CIOs, only one factor remains: the students.Homecomings, after all, is an event for the students by the students, and inevitably what makes the difference is we the students.All the hard work and dedication of people like Kate Daughdrill, as well as the generosity of the University, would be for nothing if the students neglected it.Therefore, it is upon us, the students, to sculpt Homecomings into a real University tradition.This can be done in a variety of ways, from joining UPC, writing letters to the University expressing interest and asking for more financial involvement, or simply showing up to Homecomings (and other UPC events) each year with friends.In a university as classy as ours, we deserve a Homecomings Week that will be recognized on a national level, and this can only be achieved by taking action.
Sina Kian's column appears Thursdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at skian@cavalierdaily.com.
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