Cardinals fire up homecoming

Community, alumni, students come together to show spirit

Lamar University held its Homecoming, Oct. 18, with tailgate at lunchtime ahead of the big game against Southland Conference rivals UT-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.

Plummer Lawn and Provost-Umphrey Stadium were filled with students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans as they celebrated LU.

“This was my first time ever being at Homecoming,” Kaj Davis, Port Neches junior, said. “It’s not what I expected at all, but not in a bad way. There’s more stuff to do here than I thought.”

The Homecoming tailgate featured bouncy houses, crafts, food and beverages. The College of Engineering tailgate drew a large crowd with its mechanical bull, where they held contests to see who could stay on the longest. 

“It was really fun seeing how everyone came out and supported the College of Engineering,” Habi Duraippandian, Beaumont sophomore, said. “It was great seeing the teamwork. This was the most fun I’ve had so far.”

Alongside the tailgate, a vintage car show was held at Spindletop Boomtown Museum and the Dishman Art Museum was open for visitors. LU volleyball played Houston Christian University in McDonald gym.

All around, activities encouraged LU fans to keep their energy up as they waited excitedly for kickoff.

“I love (Homecoming) because you see a lot more families and people outside of Lamar bring their kids,” Brianna Navarro, Jasper junior, said. “Maybe they’re alumni, or just (from) surrounding communities around here, and that’s so cute.”

Homecoming day finished off a week full of events designed to build spirit, with “Wake Up to Homecoming” starting off Monday morning. Students gathered in the Quad to get breakfast before class, surrounded by red and white decorations.

“We wanted to do something in the morning to kick off the week,” Hayden Jackson, student engagement coordinator, said. “We thought, you know, who doesn’t love some free food?”

Monday night brought the Homecoming bonfire and pep rally. Vouchers for free food were given at Cardinal Park, where students checked in for the bonfire. Everyone then walked from the dorms to the Spindletop Boomtown Museum in a parade led by the band. A pep rally and introduction of the candidates for Homecoming court began the festivities. Students, faculty and staff looked up at the pile of wood, stacked by Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, watched intently as the flames licked the night sky.

“There was good food, good music, good fellowship, and a great fire,” Veronika Castanon, Palacios freshman, said. “This is my first time here, and I was highly recommended to come, and I’m glad I did. I thought there was a great turnout.”

Tuesday’s big event was Patio Night, where students gathered at the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center Patio to make their own Homecoming mums. The Cardinal Activities Board provided ribbons and the mum itself to ensure students could make just what they wanted. 

Wednesday brought LU softball’s game against San Jacinto and the football “Coach’s Show” at the Patio. Head Coach Pete Rossomando gave insight into the Homecoming game, and students were able to get a free food vouchers to redeem at the game. In the Setzer Student Center atrium, students gathered for the “NPHC Wild West Hump Night,” where the fraternities and sororities showed off their strolls with a western twist.

Thursday’s events began with Cardinal Craze in the atrium, where students received Homecoming swag and various crafts. LU volleyball played the University of the Incarnate Word at the McDonald Gym.

On Friday, students gathered at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center for the Homecoming concert. To kick off the night, student organizations competed for $500 in games like “finish the song” and musical chairs. The cheer and dance teams performed before the royal court winners and finalists for king and queen were announced. 

Headliner G Herbo and Loe Shimmy performed, and students sang and danced along to the music.

“(The concert) last night was so fun,” Taylor Grant, Houston sophomore, said. “Energy was high.”

 This year’s Homecoming was a big success. As Lamar continues to grow, one can only imagine what next year’s will be like. See you there.