UK Holds True to Tradition With Homecoming 2021 (2024)

By Grace Colville Oct. 4, 2021

UK Holds True to Tradition With Homecoming 2021 (1)

2019 UK Homecoming royalty at Kroger Field. Pete Comparoni | UK Photo.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 4, 2021) — The 106th Homecoming at the University of Kentucky is full of opportunities for students and alumni to continue the tradition of what it means to be a Wildcat. The UK Alumni Association, Student Organizations and Activities, Black Student Union, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Student Activities Board and many other groups have been working hard to make Homecoming week a special time in the lives of students, alumni and all who participate.

From Oct. 5-9, there are events leading up to the Homecoming football game against Louisiana State University.

Tuesday, Oct. 5

Mr. and Ms. Black UK Scholarship Pageant

  • The Mr. and Ms. Black UK Pageant has been a UK tradition since 1987. Hosted by Delta Sigma Theta SororityInc. and the Black Student Union, the event will take place at 7 p.m. at the Gatton Student Center Grand Ballroom. If you present a valid student ID, tickets will be $8, or $5 if you bring a hygiene product for donation. For non-UK students, tickets are $10 or $7 with a product to donate.

Wednesday, Oct. 6

Student Activities Board Blue & White Breakfast

  • Students can stop by for a Homecoming week pick-me-up on the way to or from class in the Gatton Student Center Barker Plaza from 9 a.m.-noon. There will be free breakfast, activities, T-shirts and prizes!

Thursday, Oct. 7

Student Activities Board Homecoming Vibes

  • SAB is hosting a Homecoming T-shirt tie dye event from 6-8 p.m., at theGatton Student Center Barker Plaza. There are limited supplies available, so students are encouraged to come early.

Student Activities Board Homecoming Royalty Showcase

  • Students, staff and faculty get the chance to meet the candidates for this year’s Homecoming Court from 7-9 p.m., in Gatton Student Center Ballroom A. At the showcase, the Homecoming court will display their speaking skills, poise and public presentation of talent. Following the event, all UK students will be able to cast their votes for UK Homecoming king and queen on BBNvolved. Voting will be open for 24 hours. The list of Homecoming court candidates can be found on the Student Activities Board website, here.

Saturday, Oct. 9

UK Football game against Louisiana State University

  • Cheer on the Wildcats in the annual Homecoming game as they take on the Louisiana State University Tigers for an SEC matchup at Kroger Field. Stick around during halftime as the 2021 University of Kentucky Homecoming king and queen will be crowned.

As part of the Homecoming festivities, UK Alumni Association will welcome back the Classof 1970 and the Class of 1971 for a long weekend of 50th Reunion activities, including the Golden Wildcat Society 50th Reunion Dinner & Pinning Ceremonyscheduled for Oct. 7. For a list of all Golden Wildcat Society events, as well as individual college Homecoming festivities, visit:www.ukalumni.net/s/homecoming.

UK Alumni Association will also host alumni of all ages at its Homecoming Tailgate Tent Party beginning 4:30 p.m., Oct. 9, at Kentucky Proud Park. The tailgate and pep rally will include food anddrinks along with exciting games, entertainment, giveaways and a special performance by the UK cheerleaders and Pep Band. Register to attend the tailgate here.

Homecoming has been a special tradition on UK’s campus since 1915. As students come and go, it’s always important to pay tribute to those who came before them, and to celebrate the longevity and success of the university.

“The traditions that we create and commemorate at the University of Kentucky are a memorable part of the student experience,” said Lexi Greer, SAB director of traditions. “When it comes to feeling a sense of belonging at our university, common experiences like celebrating Homecoming bring students together in a very special way.”

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research andcreative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs,a$476.5 million research and development enterpriseand a world-class medical center, all on one campus.

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.

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UK Holds True to Tradition With Homecoming 2021 (2024)

FAQs

What school invented homecoming? ›

History of Homecoming

The purpose of homecoming was to welcome back alumni to their alma mater for a football game and other festivities. The first homecoming event was held in 1910 at the University of Missouri, and it quickly became a popular tradition at colleges and universities across the country.

What are the titles of the homecoming royalty? ›

In a single-sex institution, the homecoming court will usually consist of only a king and a prince (for an all-male school) or a queen and a princess (for an all-female school), although some schools may choose to join with single-sex schools of the other sex to elect the homecoming court jointly.

Who started the tradition of homecoming? ›

In an early 1930s issue of The Missouri Student newspaper, Brewer was quoted: “As I remember, Missouri was the first school to sponsor the idea of an annual reunion on the day of some important football game, and Missouri unconsciously developed the idea way back in 1911.

Who invented the homecoming tradition? ›

According to Vice, while no one is positive which college officially started the tradition, the University of Missouri, Baylor University, and the University of Illinois all claim to have began hosting homecoming events in 1911, 1909, and 1910, respectively.

Who is a homecoming queen? ›

The activities can vary from school to school but one thing that all schools endorse is homecoming kings and queens. Homecoming kings/queens are usually seniors selected in different ways in schools and runner-ups and princesses are also selected to become part of the homecoming court.

Who is a homecoming king? ›

(US) In colleges and high schools, a young man chosen by his peers to "reign" over the traditional activities associated with the Homecoming football game, usually alongside a Homecoming Queen.

Who decides homecoming queen? ›

At some schools, only the senior class votes for homecoming queen. At others, the entire student body gets a say. Figure out who will be deciding your fate on voting day, and direct your campaigning efforts towards that group.

Did Mizzou invent homecoming? ›

Back in 1911, when Chester Brewer invited alumni to come home for the Missouri-Kansas football game, he couldn't have envisioned it would become Mizzou's biggest annual tradition. That first call to “come home” drew a crowd of 9,000-plus — and it's grown ever since.

Is homecoming only an American thing? ›

Homecoming is a traditional celebration at many U.S. and Canadian colleges, universities, and high schools. It began in the early 20th century when universities began to invite their alumni to return to campus, or “come home,” to join current students in watching a particular athletic game.

When did homecoming start at Mizzou? ›

1911: MU hosted its first Homecoming in 1911. According to the Mizzou Alumni Association, Chester Brewer, the then-football coach, invited alumni to “come home” to cheer on the Tigers against rival University of Kansas.

Why are school dances called homecoming? ›

Homecoming began at colleges as a celebration for the first football game of the season, where alumni would come back to visit their former campuses.

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