Story by Clarissa Dean, Oliver Wood-Morris and Cameron Elliott-Moody
WKU celebrated its annual Homecoming festivities with events from Thursday, Nov. 14 to Saturday, Nov. 16. The decided theme for this year was “Roaring Red.” According to WKU’s website, the theme is “1920s-inspired” and captures the enthusiasm, style and energy from that defined era. Read on for the Talisman’s coverage of the parade, tailgate, football game, step show and more.
Parade, pep rally and Big Red Roar kick off Homecoming
Alumni, students, staff and community members lined College Street for the annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, Nov. 15. Starting at the steps of Cherry Hall and down to Fountain Square Park, parade participants had the opportunity to show their best “Topper” spirit.
Student organizations made their way down the Hill, chanting and displaying their floats in anticipation of the pep rally. The pep rally, or “Big Red’s Roar,” featured local DJ Shania Tinnel, who kept the crowd entertained both before and after the parade.
Among the individuals participating in the parade was Sigma Kappa member Lilyanna Megibben from Simpsonville, Kentucky. She said that despite the cold weather, the parade was fun and worth attending.
Paired with Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Alpha Tau Omega and Farmhouse, their float consisted of a tiny replica of WKU’s football field and more. The back of their float featured Big Red dancing in front of a replica of Cherry Hall.
“My favorite part of our float was the back,” Megibben said. “Big Red on the back really set it off.”
Junior Kallise Gammon from Salvisa, Kentucky said that as a part of the Campus Activities Board, she got to help hand out the spirit stick. Gammon said that each year, groups at Homecoming compete and whoever shows the most “Hilltopper spirit” is awarded the spirit stick. This year’s winners were Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta.
After helping with the Campus Activities Board, Gammon said she migrated down to Fountain Square Park to watch the parade and pep rally. She said the square was a great place to watch the parade because there are local shops, music and food trucks set up.
“I love seeing the floats because they’re always so creative,” Gammon said. “This year, a bunch of them have cool features such as spinning and moving parts.”
White Squirrel Weather participated in the parade featuring a cloud-like display with lights on their trolley, resembling different clouds, lightning and more. In addition, Delta Zeta, Alpha Gamma Rho, Lambda Chi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha and the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s float featured a Big Red replica that had a moving arm.
“You can see a sense of community at the parade,” Gammon said. “Everyone really shows out.”
As the floats reached the end of College Street, those in the parade re-grouped in Fountain Square Park to enjoy the pep rally in anticipation of the football game on Saturday, Nov. 16.
“The pep rally was great and I enjoyed walking in the parade then getting to participate in the pep rally,” Megibben said.
As the night died down, the results of the best banner, the winner of the Homecoming games, and the best float were announced.
The best banner award went to Sigma Kappa, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., Alpha Tau Omega and Farmhouse. The banner featured the WKU water tower and Big Red driving a car.
Kappa Delta, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and Pi Kappa Alpha won the “Homecoming Games.” According to WKU’s website, these games are “designed to test the participant’s skill, agility and flexibility.”
The best float award went to Alpha Omicron Pi, Sigma Nu, Delta Tau Delta and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Floats are judged by relation to the Homecoming theme, how original the float is, how appealing it looks and the color selection, according to WKU’s website. One of the main attractions on their float was the Old Fort Bridge, otherwise known as the “Kissing Bridge.” According to WKU’s website, this bridge was built in the 1920s and is tucked behind Van Meter Hall.
Ending the night, Big Red danced along to “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled, hyping the crowd up for the tailgate, football game and step show the following day.
Tailgaters crowd South Lawn and Houchens-Smith Stadium fills with fans
WKU football fans, both new and old, gathered on South Lawn before the start of WKU’s “Roaring Red” Homecoming game against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Filled with students and alumni, groups of people sat under the various sorority and fraternity tents. Some enjoyed food and drinks while listening to music, and others participated in various lawn games.
Sitting on the South Lawn playing cornhole, sophomore Quaid Miles from Georgetown, Kentucky said the environment gets everyone “hype”.
“I love all these people out here just having fun listening to music,” Miles said. “I get to be here, enjoying drinks, playing cornhole, really just getting rowdy for our school.”
Several campus departments also set up tents for the event, including the Alumni Association and Gordon Ford College of Business. In the tents, some supplied breakfast foods, drinks and merchandise such as phone wallets and stickers.
The Alumni Association hosted one large tent near Houchens-Smith Stadium while some members put up other tents around South Lawn. Jennifer Holland, an alumna from Bowling Green, said that as a student she did not do much tailgating. Now that she works for the Alumni Center, she said she never misses a game.
“This gives me the experience to listen to other alumni reminisce about their time on campus,” Holland said. “I’m in charge of tailgating, so I just get to hear the great times that they had and it just makes my job working with alumni very proud.”
When the game began, some attendees chose to stay behind and continue tailgating while other Toppers rushed to the stadium. The stadium was filled with cheering fans as the Hilltoppers gained the lead over Louisiana Tech in the first half.
Colton Williams from Elizabethtown said games like this are important to sports fans like him. With such a close score, he said he could tell WKU was putting up a fight.
At half-time the Big Red Marching Band and Big Red Rubies Color Guard performed, followed by the crowning of the 2024 Homecoming Queen.
The 42 contestants were welcomed onto the field and greeted by WKU President Timothy Caboni and 2023 Homecoming Queen Millie Lejune.
Senior Sarah Vincent of Bardstown, Kentucky, sponsored by Kappa Delta and Pi Kappa Alpha was crowned the 2024 Homecoming Queen. The first runner-up was senior Jozee Bond of O’Fallon, Illinois, sponsored by Alpha Gamma Delta and Phi Gamma Delta. The second runner-up was senior Rosie Ribble of Nashville, Tennessee, sponsored by Phi Mu and Kappa Alpha Order.
The final score was a 12-7 loss for WKU. Freshman Joie Willoughby, from Little Rock, Arkansas said “Honestly I was kind of sad we were not able to pull through in the end since we started the game off so well.”
The Step Show migrates Homecoming to the Capitol Theatre
Students, alumni and locals gathered at the Capitol Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 16 for the annual Homecoming Step Show. The show is a tradition that showcases step routines from members of the Divine Nine fraternities and sororities.
Each team spends countless hours rehearsing intricate routines, perfecting their synchronization, and developing unique themes that reflect their identity and creativity. The result is a mesmerizing display of step dancing– a form of dance where the body is used as an instrument to produce complex rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, claps, and spoken word.
Each fraternity and sorority at the show presented their theme, adding a personal touch to the event. The performances featured a variety of creative choreography and costumes, making the show a vibrant display of talent and tradition.
Senior Arianna Pierson of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. said the Step Show brings her a lot of joy because the dedication and effort put into the show is all worth it—- win or lose. Pierson also said that the step shows are very supportive and welcoming.
“This step show not only brings us together as students,” Pierson said. “It also brings alumni and grad chapters together and shows how prominent the black community is on campus.”
Pierson also claims that the performances often incorporate elements of African American history and traditions, making the event not only entertaining but also educational and inspiring.
Senior Queen Couch of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. said that putting on these Step Shows also helps honor Homecoming and Black culture.
“I enjoy getting to be a part of these shows because I get to foster something surrounding Greek life and the African American culture behind it,” Couch said. “It brings in support from fellow Greek life members in the African American community.”
Each year, the Homecoming Step Show fosters a sense of camaraderie and school spirit. It is a highlight of the Homecoming weekend, drawing in students, alumni, faculty, and residents.
At the show’s end, the judges announced the fraternity and sorority winners of this year’s step show. The fraternity winner was Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and the sorority winner was Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
