UK Homecoming: A Timeless Tradition

UK Homecoming Week is the biggest celebration of the year among the University of Kentucky community. The tradition has been going on since 1915, and students today know a different Homecoming than the alumni who came before them. Certain aspects of Homecoming have dissolved while new ones have developed over time, but one aspect that has always remained is that Homecoming has been, and always will be, a time when all Wildcats come together and celebrate being a part of this university.

A Look Back

One of the biggest traditions in UK Homecoming history was the fundraiser conducted by the UK Horticulture Club in the School of Agriculture (now called the College of Agriculture). This organization sold mum corsages with big blue "UK's" made out of pipe cleaners attached to them. It was tradition to take a date to the Homecoming game, so men would buy these corsages for their dates to wear on game day. The royalty candidates, president and first lady all wore them as well. Today, UK President Lee Todd always makes sure that First Lady Patsy Todd has her mum for the Homecoming game.

Another tradition that got students excited was the pep rally that took place at Stoll Field. No matter if it was in rain, sleet or snow, students would fill the stadium to get pumped up for the Homecoming game. They would also have a bonfire in E.S. Good Barn Field for students to show their school spirit.

Royalty has always been one of the most popular components of Homecoming. In the past, the royalty candidates, along with the president and first lady, would enter the field drawn by horse and carriage at halftime. Due to the length of the half-time program, the horse-drawn carriage presentation has been cut, but the crowning of the king and queen remains a Homecoming game staple.

The Homecoming parade is the oldest and most popular tradition at UK. Competition to build the top prize-winning float has been intense over the years, especially between the Greek organizations. In the 1970s and 1980s, regulations had to be set to give every organization an equal opportunity. Organizations would spend so much money to make their floats the most extravagant that they would have corporate sponsorships. They would also start working on their floats months in advance. Since then, rules were created so that organizations could only spend a limited amount of time and money on their floats.

Today

While many of the traditions are no longer around, it is interesting to see how some of the traditions have evolved.

Even though Homecoming has been around for many years, each part has transformed in some way. Homecoming has been and will always be a time for UK students, faculty, staff and alumni to come together and celebrate being a part of such a great institution. As traditions come and go, one thing that will always remain is the pride that comes with being a Kentucky Wildcat.

For a complete list of Homecoming activities click here.

To vote for Homecoming Royalty, please click here.