Have Questions about Homecoming? Here’s your Answers

The University of Central Oklahoma is celebrating its 108^th Homecoming with a week packed with events and activities leading up to the big game.

Here’s everything you may be wondering with answers from the Homecoming Committee’s Executive Director, Kale Woolf.

What’s the event Schedule?

Every day of Homecoming Week, various events and competitions take place for students to participate in and watch.

For the full schedule, click here.

What’s special about this year’s Homecoming?

The theme, “Saddle Up Bronchos”, is paying homage to the history of Oklahoma.

“There are strong ties to not only Western culture, and native American culture, but Oklahoma is a big crossroads, and we’re hoping the theme encompasses and highlights all the history Oklahoma and the university have,” Woolf said.

Like previous years, spirit events will coincide with the theme Woolf said, such as:

• Hats off to Homecoming

“This is a super popular event for students.”

• Freshen Up cowboy
  • Students can decorate and pick a scent of a freshener
• Saddles and stuffing
  • Students can build a broncho and get themed shirts that go along with the bronchos, Woolf said.
• Gallop and Go
  • A competitive relay race for the organizations

Are there any new events?

“Yes, this year there was a brand-new event called Bronchos Boots and Boogies, a line dancing event for students,” Woolf said.

The event previously known as Rock the Block had many different identities.

“Last year, it was an outdoor movie night.”

Two years ago, when the theme was rock and roll chaos, the event was a battle of bands from ACM, UCO’s music school, Woolf said.

This year, Woolf says the event and its name are well defined compared to Rock the Block in previous years.

There will also be a pep rally added to the back half of Yell Friday night at the football stadium.

What’s the buzz around the big game?

The Bronchos will take on Northeastern State, Saturday at 7 p.m.

Leading up to the game from 2-6 p.m. is a festival and tailgating.

There will be food trucks, vendors, entertainment, photographers, inflatables, an alumni tailgate, and a recruiting event called Central Saturday, Woolf said.

The Organizations involved in Homecoming will be a part of the festival, bringing their own Broncho Spirit.

“Most of the organizations create a carnival-like game for attendees,” said Woolf.

The royal Bronchos will be announced and crowned at halftime, along with traditional game day performances.

What Organizations are Participating?

Homecoming is divided into two categories based on the number of participants in the Organizations, Woolf said.

Large Category:

• Alpha Delta Pi
• Alpha Gamma Delta
• Alpha Xi Delta
• Baptist Collegiate Ministry
• International House
• Kappa Sigma
• Leaders of Tomorrow
• National Panhellenic Council
• Sigma Phi Lambda
• Pi Kappa Alpha
• Presidents’ leadership council
• Sigman Kappa
• Sigma Nu
• Sigma Tau Gamma
• Tri Sigma

Small Category:

• Alpha Sigma Pi
• Alpha Tau Omega
• Beta Epsilon
• The Cadet Leadership Council
• Central Kai Alpha
• The Diversity Round Table
• Delta Zeta
• Housing Hype
• Muslim Student Association
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness
• The student programming board
• The Student Ambassadors

 How does the competition between Organizations work?

“Homecoming at UCO is like a tournament among different student organizations,” Woolf said

“By participating in homecoming, they are entering themselves into a competition”.

There is a point structure to determine where the organizations stand after each event they participate in.

Said Woolf, “Organizations can earn points for attendance, spirit, decorations, and by participating in events throughout the week.”

“There are a lot of ways to earn points.”

At the game, the overall winners of homecoming are announced and receive recognition and trophies.

Who and what is Homecoming royalty?

Candidates are picked through nomination of their competing organization and must be a fourth or fifth year senior, Woolf said.

“Candidates must apply and turn in an involvement resume and go through an interview process; The process is judged by a panel of faculty, staff, and alumni, which accounts for 60% of their points to get on the court. The other 40% is the popular vote that happens on Ucore by students,” Woolf said.

Applicants know by early September if they were chosen or not.

“This year, there were 16 applicants and 10 were chosen,” Woolf said.

Woolf, who’s in charge of the royalty court, said he’s looking forward to seeing the royalty candidates at the game

“It’s an amazing group of students”.

This year’s Homecoming Royalty:

• Allison Cusimano, from Sigma Kappa
• Bengnique Miller, from Student Ambassadors
• Chole Falls, from President’s Leadership Council
• Emma Valgota, from the National Alliance on Mental Health
• Lane Willoughby, from Pi Kappa Alpha
• Lyndey Holding, from Alpha Gamma Delta
• Sam Gillis, from Sigma Tau Gamma
• Shanice Hopkins, from the National Pan-Hellenic Council
• Trinity Alford, from Student Programming Board

“Out of the 10 royalty candidates, 2 of them are crowned the Royal Bronchos through student voting on Ucore,” Woolf said.

He continued, “To be crowned royalty means that the student has made such a significant contribution to the UCO community and has been recognized by distinguished faculty, staff, alumni, and fellow students, as the definition of what it means to be a broncho.”

How can I vote?

Voting opens at 8 a.m. Monday, October 20.

Voting closes at 11:55 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22.

Students can access the voting through various links sent and posted to them.

How can bronchos show their pride?

“Each student has their own interests”, Woolf said.

He continued, “If you’re interested in going to see homecoming royalty and the organizations compete, the Lip sync battle is the most popular event.”

“Last year, there was over 500 people that checked in.”

“If you want to be more involved, listen to music, dance, and play some fun games, a Glow party is always a classic.”

“If you’re going to go to an event, you’ve got to go to the Homecoming game”.

There is also a festival and tailgating up until the game, the largest community event, Woolf said.

“There are a couple of thousand people that go before the game”.

“There will also be a limited number of homecoming shirts for purchase at the events during Homecoming”, Woolf said.