Students, families and alumni celebrated Homecoming last weekend with dances, golf carts, soccer and fireworks.
Homecoming weekend, entitled “True Blue-Billikens Come Home,” began with a barbeque on Friday, Sept. 22.
“A lot of students came down to eat dinner. We had a few games planned,” said Laura Gleason, Student Activities Board Homecoming chair. “But we only ended up doing the pie-eating contest because people seemed content with eating, talking and simply enjoying the nice fall weather.”
This year’s Homecoming dance was held at the the Hyatt Regency in Union Station. Over 700 students attended the dance. Appetizers were served and a cash bar was available to students of age.
During the dance, the Homecoming court was announced: Stephanie Budenz, Mike Cappel, Meghan Clune, R.J. Cree, Jana Evers, Amy Flauaus, Dan Lambert, Matt Morrissey, Jen Potthast and Andy Purtell.
On Saturday, the golf cart parade included alumni, staff and student floats. In the student division, Beta Theta Pi fraternity won with a dragon golf cart. In the alumni and staff division, Facilities Services won with a steamboat cart.
“The steamboat cart was incredible; it even had steam come out of it,” Gleason said. “All of the other carts were really creative too.”
The day came to a close with an estimated 4,500 fans attending Saint Louis University men’s soccer game against Southwest Missouri State University. At halftime, the coronation of the 2000 Homecoming King and Queen were announced. Former queens from 1950 crowned Jana Evers, Alpha Delta Pi and Mike Cappel, Alpha Phi Omega. The game ended in a 1-1 tie. In between the two overtime periods, fireworks were shot off of Olive-Compton Garage.
“I think the whole weekend was extremely successful. Hopefully we started some new traditions and will continue with the old ones too,” Gleason said. “I also hope Homecoming will continue to grow in participation in future years.”
