If you haven’t noticed the chalk on the sidewalks around Eastern Michigan University’s campus, random strangers asking for your vote on your emich.edu account or Eagle Nation’s energized (perhaps even more energized than usual) personnel, I should inform you that it’s that special time of year: Homecoming.
Honestly, I can be quite the pessimist about holidays, special events and the like. For example, I always found Santa Claus to be a ridiculous child’s hero, the Easter Bunny a biological impossibility and prom to be an overpriced, under-criticized charade of unnecessary spending.
Yet not even I can be impervious to the energy that comes with an EMU Homecoming. With that said, I think one should partake in the activities of the wonderful parade of school pride.
I can hear the critics now: “Pat, it’s just an excuse to break out the beer and get rowdy.”
That may be true, but it’s a hell of a lot of fun and great for school spirit.
After all, school spirit makes campus a much more inviting and incredible atmosphere. Verdant green, the fight song and Swoop – who can’t love loving EMU?
Animated school spirit also makes it much easier to lambaste people for wearing University of Michigan apparel on our campus.
Contrary to popular belief, Homecoming is more than just a football game and alcoholic beverages. In fact, EMU does a splendid job of making an extravaganza of the event. Every day of the week, EMU puts on a different event. The full list can be found at www.emich.edu/homecoming.
Some of the highlights that stand out to me include the 6th annual Homecoming Spirit Police, the campus picnic and, of course, the football game.
Now the football game is an entire issue in itself. I’m sure Eagle Nation would be proud to rattle off reasons for why one should attend football games, but I can give you the simplest one: It’s fun.
Even if you hate football, the Homecoming football game is a wonderful experience. First of all, you get to see the Homecoming king and queen crowned. The people running for king and queen put in a lot of time and effort into their campaigns, so it’s always enjoyable to see their experience unfold before them.
Let’s not forget the marching band; not only are they lovely to listen to, their relationship with President Susan Martin is adorable to observe.
Finally, the first down chant is pretty awesome. Admittedly, I don’t know much about how EMU and Kent State, the Homecoming matchup, stack up against each other. But I do love crying out, “Ahhhhhh! Woosh! Goooo EMU! Goooo EMU!”…Well, you get the point.
Put simply and concisely: Participate in the homecoming festivities. After all, they are just one part of the EMU Experience.
