Festivities engage campus
Homecoming 2024 offered an exciting array of activities that culminated Saturday with tailgating before the big game.
The week started with events for students to decorate pumpkins, create mums, and customize LU merch.
On Oct. 9, the National Pan Hellenic Council hosted a hump day on the Quad, which spotlight NPHC sororities’ and fraternities’ tradition of strolling to music.
Jordan Spears, Rosharon junior, said it was his first time attending the event and said he liked that it was outside and the weather was nice.
“I definitely recommend it, coming with some friends,” he said. “Most times out of ten, you know somebody in a fraternity or sorority anyways, so why not?”
There was some disappointment, Oct. 10, when the Jefferson County issued a burn ban just hours before the scheduled Homecoming pep rally at the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum Field, which meant the traditional bonfire had to be canceled.
Despite the setback, the pep rally still drew a crowd. The event included multiple food trucks with boudin, barbeque and even sno-cones. LU’s cheer and dance team performed routines. The event also saw the announcement of the Homecoming Court, except for King and Queen which was to be announced during the game.
At the end of pep rally, LU President Jaime Taylor pushed the button and the replica Spindletop oil derrick launched the gusher 100-feet in the air.
Freddie Titus, Vice President for Student Affairs, said the rally was well attended and everyone had fun.
“Students got me to dance tonight,” he said. “We have a great group of students here at Lamar University. You can tell that they appreciate what goes on here.”
President Taylor said the pep rally and all the Homecoming events are important parts of campus life.
“These types of events, when you have students doing extracurricular activities and bonding, this is the kind of stuff that improves student success,” he said. “This is the kind of stuff that keeps students in school and helps them finish and get their degree.”
After Thursday’s hectic activities, student relaxed on the Brooks-Shivers Dining Hall lawn, during the Goat Yoga session. As the goats bleated and grazed instructor Emily Singer led students through exercises while 10 little goats scampered around them and sometimes even climbed up on them.
“Goat yoga brings people together,” Singer said. “People have lots of laughs, making it a bonding experience. It is a nice intro to yoga, because people have a little bit more fun. I used to have goats growing up, and I love teaching yoga. I just tied in together.”
Luke Williams, Beaumont junior said that after building the bonfire it was nice to chill out and do some stretches.
“When the goat jumps on your back, it’s like a nice little massage,” he said. “I’m really not a yoga enthusiast. But who could say no to free goat yoga?”
Rap artist Waka Flocka Flame performed at the Neches FCU Arena at the Montagne Center, Oct. 11. He played his songs “No Hands” and “Grove Street,” and shuffled through his Spotify playlist while he danced and interacted with the audience.
“Waka was down with the people, the energy stayed up the entire night.” Nyah Greene, Winnie junior, said.
Madisyn Valka, Winnie senior, said the concert was a great experience.
“It was amazing and so much fun,” she said. “I wish we had things like that more often. It was a nice treat/break from classes.”
Homecoming day was filled with activities all across campus, from the Spindletop Museum, which hosted a classic car show, to the tailgating area across from Provost Umphrey Stadium.
Spindletop Gladys-City Boomtown Museum’s second-annual car show brought together Lamar alumni and others in the local car scene.
“I think it’s really nice how they do it here in the old town,” Jacob Patrick, president of the Excessive Performance Car Club, said. “It makes for a really nice setting for a car show. This is our second car show to do at Lamar, and we really enjoy them. They’re really laid back. A lot of car shows are pretty uptight, but we enjoy doing them out here and being able to support the team.”
The event offered a unique opportunity for people in the community to celebrate their passion for cars.
“A lot of alumni signed in and said how they graduated here, and have told us about their time at Lamar as they’re checking in,” Kristi Whitte, who was registering the cars, said. “It’s been fun, just all the school spirit that it seems to bring out in everyone is great to see.”
Vance Burton showed off his 2018 Chevrolet Camaro Hot Wheels 50th Anniversary Edition car, and its matching model counterpart.
“I do car shows every weekend and bring the Hot Wheels car out,” he said. “The best part, though, is seeing the smile on the kid’s face when they get free Hot Wheels from me.”
The Tailgate was held at the E-3 lot on campus, in front of the Plummer Building.
Brady Frazier, Cleveland senior, said his favorite parts of the tailgate were the Aguas Fresca, the Boss Burger food truck, and the Cup Pong tournament.
“My friend Rafael was my teammate and we got second place,” Frazier said. “I got to hang out with people from other clubs and alumni. I enjoyed the tailgate, it was my first one.”
Reese Rodgers, Silsbee sophomore, said the tailgate allowed him to meet new people from different majors.
“I got to play games with friends, played cornhole and learned interesting rules about the game,” he said. “I saw other games around me such as axe throwing and paper football. Overall, it was a great time. I would highly recommend this to other people, especially if they want to have a good time and hangout.”
At halftime of the game against Stephen F. Austin, the Homecoming King and Queen joined the Homecoming Court. Jonah Smith was named King and Adebola Odunlami was named Queen. The Court was rounded out by Lea Walker and Briley O’Connor were named Freshman Princess and Prince, Regori McGill and Carlos Viloria were named Sophomore Princess and Prince, and Junior Princess and Prince are Dynasia Hickman and Ethan Ellis.
Lamar’s Homecoming is an important tradition where students have fun and the community can see what Lamar has to offer. Next year promises to be bigger and better. And maybe there will be some rain so the Bonfire can return.
Compiled with reports from Jill Stokes, Sydney Vo, Luis Lemmen, Carlos Viloria and Kami Greene.
Homecoming 2024 Queen Adebola Odunlami and King Jonah Smith were introduced during haltime.
UP photo by Brian Quijada