Advancer (whole article)

Rebecca Malzahn

Advancer

Mia-Moody, JOU 2303

Baylor Homecoming: Always an Anticipated Weekend

Baylor University’s Homecoming events have been celebrated for over a century. Traditions of Baylor Homecoming range from Pigskin Review, bonfires, pep rallies, parades, and of course, Baylor football. On the first weekend of November, Baylor will bring all of these traditions to life once more.

Baylor's popular Pigskin Revue is an annual Homecoming tradition where the top winning acts from the previous spring's All University Sing, display their talents live in Waco Hall. These musical, Broadway-style acts are prepared and performed by campus organizations.  Each act is complete with costumes, elaborate backdrops and props, and complex choreography rehearsed on a daily basis, months in advance. Pigskin, in comparison to All University Sing, is not a competition and therefore the atmosphere is much more relaxed. There are four total performances: one on Thursday night (Nov. 3), two on Friday night (Nov. 4) and one on Saturday (Nov. 5).

Preceding the first Friday performance of Pigskin, Baylor’s Homecoming Extravaganza and bonfire will erupt in Fountain Mall.  Filled with carnival rides, food, motivational speeches, and cheers, Extravaganza is an event for the whole family. As dusk draws near, a bonfire, typically ornamented with the football teams’ rival mascot, will be lit.

The following morning, the largest homecoming parade in America will march through downtown Waco until it makes its way through the Baylor campus. The first Baylor Homecoming Parade began in 1909 but it wasn’t until 1945 that the parade became an annual event. Five years later, the floats began to take note of Baylor’s opponents for the football game and in 1960, every float carted a theme of fate for the opposing mascot. 

Kickoff will be on Saturday afternoon as Baylor fans fill the stands of Floyd Casey Stadium to cheer on their Bears to a victory. Baylor offensive lineman, Tim Smith, says that, “the Homecoming football game is something that I look forward to every year. Families and alumni all attend the game, and the stadium couldn’t have a more welcoming feel.” The starting kickoff time has not yet been determined.

            Baylor Homecoming is a tradition that will forever be a part of who Baylor is. The weekend of November 3 will be one of incredible school spirit.

Schedule of Events :

·      Extravaganza/Bonfire: Friday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m.

·      Pigskin Review: Thursday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., Friday Nov. 4 at 6:30 and 10:30 p.m., and Saturday Nov. 5, at 7 p.m.

·      Parade: Saturday, Nov. 3 at 8:30 a.m.

·      Football Game vs. Mizzou: Saturday, Nov. 3 time TBA