The Wake

I remember my first experience with Homecoming. Excited to be at such a massive university, I was ready to participate. But the events were geared toward the Greek system, making it difficult and awkward to fully enjoy Homecoming as a newcomer and a commuter student. Without a sorority or residence hall to lead the way towards activities, I was without direction. I don’t remember a lot about that fall, but I do remember the Homecoming parade that went down University Ave.

It was chilly and was raining on and off throughout the morning, and I found a spot in the heart of frat row. A few houses were elaborately decorated with facades in front of the house held up by scaffolding to go along with the year’s theme. As the floats went by, people gave handouts to the noisier members of the crowd. As I was standing in front of the houses, I remember thinking about how long the people had been drunk and if they even slept at all the night before because it was early in the morning and I was sure the people celebrating were wasted. I ended up having a good time at the parade and at the football game afterwards even though I was not as drunk as the other people and the weather sucked.

Homecoming at the University of Minnesota has been celebrated since 1914, and the goal is to promote school spirit and the energy of maroon and gold. It is a week full of events that are coordinated by the Homecoming Committee which consists of 11 students and two faculty members. Even though the main groups that participate in the events are residence halls and members of the Greek system (most events are team events), there are things that any student can participate in or watch. The most popular events are the Homecoming parade on Saturday along University Avenue and the football game afterwards. This year, the Gophers will take on Indiana at 11 a.m.

Alissa Pepelnjak, the Campus Wide Activities Co-Coordinator, says that she wants to include commuter students in Homecoming. In putting up flyers and attending events for transfer and commuter students, she hopes to encourage their participation.

Pepelnjak believes that Homecoming is important for the U. “It’s a great time to get everyone involved to celebrate the tradition of the U and spirit of the maroon and gold. It’s also a lot of fun,” Pepelnjak says.

Sororities and fraternities are involved in many things during Homecoming week and it’s no exception this year for “The Wild, Wild Midwest,” theme. This year’s activities include the lip sync competition, barbecues, flag football, water polo, the parade and more.

One of the sororities on campus that gets involved in homecoming is Alpha Chi Omega. They are involved in all of the activities this year. Annette Reichkitzer, philanthopy chair for Alpha Chi Omega, says that her sorority either is involved in or watches the events to earn laching points, which are earned by sororities and fraternities. The amount of laching points depends on how well you do in an event and how much spirit you show for your group. The group with the most points by the end of the week is the winner, Reichkitzer says

Delta Upsilon, a fraternity, is participating in lip sync, float/house front making, flag football, cheering and the new event, water polo.

“We’re pretty pumped. Homecoming’s always sweet, especially for the Greeks, definitely the Greeks, it’s pretty much made for us,” says Ben Bundul, vice president of recruitment.

Fraternities and sororities pair together each year to go to the events. “Our theme for our pairing is Blazing Saddles,” Bundul says and adds that his fraternity’s shirts and floats are “sweet.”

Sororities and fraternities also work together on projects that are not related to Homecoming. Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Upsilon and Phi Sigma Kappa are working together on a philanthropy project that is being hosted by Alpha Chi Omega, Reichkitzer says.

This past year one sorority from the Pan-Hellenic council, the governing body for sororities on campus, and one fraternity from the Inter-Fraternity council, the governing body for fraternities on campus, had a member volunteer each weekend feeding starving children. Working together makes volunteering more fun, Reichkitzer says.

As long as there is a Homecoming at the U, sororities and fraternities will be involved in the activities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get involved too. For a full schedule of events and information on how to participate, check out the Homecoming website: .