Home Coming

2 | Homecoming 2012 The Standard

Homecoming 2012 | 3the-standard.org

Homecoming 2012This is a publication of MissouriState University’s student-produced newspaper, TheStandard. The university has notapproved and is not responsiblefor its content, which isproduced and edited by TheStandard staff.

The Standard901 S. National Ave.Springfield, MO [email protected]

Advertising staffWil Brawley salesTrevor Collins salesDayle Duggins salesBrent Rinehart graphic designAdam Simpson graphic design

Editorial staffSteph Anderson photo editorMatt Aten sports writerKelsey Berry life editorKris Collins reporter

Katie DeJarnette copy editorDayle Duggins news editorMegan Gates editor-in-chiefLindsey Howard managing editorJon Poorman sports editorJon Sims copy editorGage Turner copy editor

Professional staffJack Dimond faculty adviserSandy King advertising manager

Standard staff

Cover photo by Steph Anderson • Cover design by Adam Simpson

Contents4 Join the fun!Homecoming committee chairinvites you to become part ofthe tradition By Megan Stonechiper

8 King and queenMeet the five men and womenthat make up 2012’sHomecoming court

10 What’s going on thisweek? Missouri State’shosting a variety of events thisweek to get ready forSaturday’s game

11 Greek spiritMissouri State’s Fraternity andSorority Life provides anessential drive to HomecomingBy Kris Collins

12 Homecoming historyThe tradition has changeddrastically since it began in1921 By Dayle Duggins

14 Game faceLinebacker Ryan Callendargets ready for his lastHomecoming in uniform By Matt Aten

Become part of4 | Homecoming 2012 The Standard

Hello students!On behalf of the Homecoming Committee I

wanted to share some information with studentsabout experiencing “Maroon, White and You”Homecoming 2012. Getting involved with Homecoming activities

at Missouri State University is an important partof the college experience. It is a week filledwith school spirit to celebrate athletics, studentorganization programs, and community events. It is a time to be proud of the university and

broaden one’s involvement with this campus.Many campus entities, including Alumni Servic-es, Athletics, the Missouri State Bookstore,Pride Band and the Office of Student Engage-ment have worked to put together a week full ofgreat opportunities for students.

Every student has an opportunity to be part ofthe MSU Homecoming tradition, whether it beparticipating with an organization in events suchas Decorate Downtown, Yell Like Hell, Chalk‘N Rock, Can We Build It or by cheering on theBears during the football game. If students are not competing in the Home-

coming week student competition events, theyare encouraged to come as spectators and sup-port their peers. There are also non-competitiveevents open for all students to participate, suchas the Royalty Voting for Homecoming King

MeganStonecipherHomecomingCommitteeChair

MSU’s tradition!Homecoming 2012 | 5the-standard.org

and Queen open all week, Mocktails Drink Compe-tition on Tuesday, Chili Cook-Off on Wednesday,the Student Activities Council Homecoming Danceon Thursday, the annual Homecoming Parade onSaturday morning and the Bearfest Village Tailgatebefore kick-off on Saturday afternoon. There is atleast one event every day for students from Sunday,Oct. 21 to Saturday, Oct. 27.

There are many ways to stay connected duringHomecoming week by checking the university mas-ter calendar, Facebook and the new app, which isavailable for both iPhone and Android devices. Theapp may be found by searching “Missouri StateHomecoming” from the university website.

It is my hope that every student finds a way to getinvolved with Homecoming in some form this yearand feels the pride that will take over our campuscommunity during the week.

Photo Courtesy of Missouri State Special CollectionsSigma Tau Gamma participates in the Homecoming Paradeof 1964.



8 | Homecoming 2012 The Standard Homecoming 2012 | 9the-standard.org

Introducing the king and queen

This year, there are five menand women vying for the title

of Missouri Statehomecoming king and

queen, and the opportunityto cheer on the Maroon andWhite as Bear royalty. TheStandard asked all of themwhy they felt they should win

Trevor Collins Jared Horman

Garrett Mueller Lexi Beck

Chelsea Foreman

Christa Perry

Lindsey PearsonDorothy FrederickChris Westrich

David Kramer

“For a long time, I only viewedhomecoming king as a popularity contest. Butthen I realized that it’s not about the votes butthe opportunity that you have to be a positiverole model for the entire student body. As king,I would hope to set that example and serve thestudents as a resource and as a friend.”

“My involvement on campus, myleadership and my involvement in thecommunity make me an excellent candidatefor king. I feel I should be king because of thisand my desire to be a role model at MSU andin the community.”

“I feel that I should be Missouri State’shomecoming king because of how I have grownin my two-plus years here. I have joined somegreat organizations and even helped start some,such as the Bears for the Wounded WarriorProject. This university has helped me becomea better person and through my academicclasses, I feel set me up for a great life.”

“I think I would be a great homecomingking because I love Missouri State and MSUand organizations have been very influentialin shaping me as a person and as a leader.”

“I believe I represent the school well bothon and off campus. Also, because I am the thirdmember of my family to attend MSU, so I feelI have strong roots in the university.”

“I think I represent the diverse populationof students and organizations on campus well.I am also very passionate about communityengagement, and that is another huge aspectof what makes MSU special.”

“Next year, I will be traveling to 11 differentcountries with a program called the WorldRace. In these countries, we will be addressingmany issues. One of the main concerns ishuman trafficking. Throughout the year, I willbe actively living the three pillars of theuniversity and I would love to represent theuniversity as the 2012 homecoming queen.”

“I believe I would make a great MissouriState homecoming queen because I havealways been extremely involved on thiscampus. I have held many leadership positionsand also worked to be a mentor to youngerstudents.”

“I think I should be Missouri State’shomecoming queen because I would love theopportunity to represent the values of theuniversity in our community. I wouldencourage campus involvement, highacademic standards and inclusion of allstudents to promote taking advantage of thefull college experience MSU has to offer.”

“I think I would be a great homecomingqueen because I truly love Missouri State andI have had an amazing experience as a studenthere. I am here to make friends and memoriesand show everyone how fun Homecoming canbe!”

the title and here are their answers. For more information on each candidate,

check out their profiles on http://the-standard.org and cast your

vote for king and queen athttp://elections.missouristate.edu by

Friday, Oct. 26.


Home

comi

ng ca

lenda

r Tuesday, Oct. 23• All day king and queen elections available online

through Friday at 5 p.m.• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mocktails at PSU North Patio; rain

location: PSU 2nd floor• 7 p.m. Rockstar MSU at Hammons Student Center

Wednesday, Oct. 24• 7-10 p.m. Fire in the Yard: Chili Cook-Off at PSU

North Patio; rain location: PSU 2nd floor• 8:30-11 p.m. Bonfire and concert at Blair-Shannon

Circle Drive and Bear Paw

Thursday, Oct. 25• 4 p.m. Dawn Patrol Meeting at PSU 315 ABC• 6 p.m. Pep Rally/Yell like Hell at Hammons

Student Center• 9 p.m.-midnight Homecoming Dance at PSU Food

Court

Friday, Oct. 26• 2 p.m. Cardboard Canoe Race at Foster Recreation

Center• 5 p.m. king and queen elections end

Saturday, Oct. 27• 9 a.m. Homecoming Parade at John Q. Hammons

Parkway• 11 a.m. Bear Fest Village Tailgate Party at Parking

Lots 22 and 24• 1 p.m. Football Game vs. Western Illinois

University at Plaster Sports Complex

File photo/THE STANDARDA sorority competes in the 2010 Yell like Hell event.

Greek-life spiritHomecoming 2012 | 11the-standard.org

By Kris CollinsThe Standard

Along with the changing leaves and coolair of fall comes football season in fullswing. Nearly every college football teamhas games during that season that a fancould deem unimportant, crucial or a rivalry,but there is only one game per year thatmakes beer and hotdogs a socially accept-able breakfast: Homecoming.

The week before the big game is packedwith activities for students, faculty and com-munity to support the university and footballteam, and show they bleed maroon.

One group of students that stands outevery year by continuously showing supportand participating in the week’s events areFraternity and Sorority Life organizations.

Andrea Weber, assistant director of stu-dent engagement for Fraternity and SororityLife, said Fraternity and Sorority Life playsa role no different from any other studentorganization during Homecoming.

Despite that fact, Inter-Fraternity CouncilPresident and Sigma Phi Epsilon memberKyle Syers notes the heavy participationfrom Fraternity and Sorority Life.

“Fraternities and sororities love beingable to come together,” Syers said, notingthe enjoyment from unity through sharedexperiences. Homecoming is a fall semesterevent that allows the organizations to do justthat.

Brittany Ankeny, Alpha Sigma Alphamember and Panhellenic Association presi-dent, noted another appealing component toHomecoming week is the involvement it

allows organization to have with the univer-sity and community.

“Homecoming is an opportunity for ourcommunity to display how proud we are thatour organizations are on the Missouri Statecampus,” Ankeny said.

Among some of the more popular eventsthroughout the week are the “Rockstar:MSU” event held at Hammons Student Cen-ter and the Pep Rally/Yell like Hell eventheld at the same venue.

Homecoming allows fraternities andsororities to proudly show their school spir-it, community and campus involvement andit’s a popular event for alumni to come backto visit his or her alma mater and reconnectwith the organizations.

Participation lies, without intentionaldesign, mainly with Fraternity and Sorority

Life. Syers noted that many student leaderson campus are involved in Fraternity andSorority Life and are highly involved bynature, but said he would like to see morestudent organizations involved.

“I’ve seen other campuses and been totheir Homecoming and they have homecom-ing kings and queens running from any stu-dent organization,” Syers said. “They actual-ly do pretty well compared to a lot of theGreek organizations.”

Syers cited Bisexual, Gay and LesbianAlliance; multicultural organizations; andstudents-athletes as groups he would like tosee nominate homecoming king and queencandidates in the future.

“They are a huge portion of our commu-nity and there’s no reason why one of themcould not run for homecoming,” Syers said.

MSU’s Fraternity and Sorority Life does its part to make Homecoming matter.


While debate rages on between theBaylor University about where the festestablished its homecoming celebrati

MSU’s hoTara Benson, assistant director of stu-

dent engagement for programming,said Homecoming at MSU has grown

throughout the years and activities have onlygotten bigger and better.

“The purpose of Homecoming at MissouriState is setting aside a time to celebrate foot-ball and highlight school spirit and pride,’”Benson said.

Ninety-one years ago, Homecoming mod-estly consisted of a football game, a play bythe theater department and the reuniting ofalumni. Times were simple, as was the cele-bration.

Now, an entire week is dedicated to the tra-dition. A number of events flood Homecomingweek, including a pep rally, bonfire, classreunions, a 5K walk/run, parade and muchmore. Themes are now created for the week-long celebration. Student organizations com-pete to be the most spirited and tents line Bear-Fest Village across from Plaster Stadium, tail-gating in anticipation for the upcoming game.

Tradition has most certainly been upheldthroughout MSU’s years in regards to Home-coming, resulting in a unique evolution of thespirit-filled celebration.

“Daring to Excel: The First 100 Years ofSouthwest Missouri State University” byDonald L. Landon, professor emeritus andformer head of the sociology department atMSU has helped document the 91-year trans-formation of Missouri State University’sHomecoming.

1921 — Homecoming celebrationestablished

ing the crowd. So, he charged out of thestands and appointed himself cheerleader.”

1943 — Homecoming was dropped forthe year to conserve money. Instead, studentsenjoyed a huge bonfire Oct. 29 several formerstudents, home on furlough, joined the alter-

native celebration.1946 — The

Southwest Standardwrote about prob-lems with alcohol atthe Homecomingdance, where alumniand students weredrinking: “Regard-

less of how shocking the statement may seemto some persons, there is a minority on ourcampus who would like to have drinkingsanctioned atsocial func-tions.”

1951 —Students paid$1.50 out oftheir $26.50semester feesfor Homecom-ing, parents’ day, farm week, agricultural con-tests, student publications and student guid-ance

1954 — This year’s Homecoming provid-ed the Bears’ first televised football gameagainst Southeast Missouri State. The Bearslost the match-up 27-0.

1955 — A dedication to the memory ofstudents who lost their lives in World War IIand the Korean Conflictwas integrated into theHomecoming events onNov. 4. The Rev. ShrumBurton read the namesof 90 former studentswhose pictures and briefhistories could be foundin the Memorial Library.

1968 — John Denverappeared at Homecoming.

1971 — Sheila Bowie was selected ashomecoming queen. Bowie was the firstblack woman to be crowned with the honor.

1984 — Terry Cummings saves the day in

1934 — Homecoming parade resumesafter a 10-year hiatus

1940 — Responsibilites of student councilexpanded to help plan Homecoming andMSU’s first homecoming queen, PolyannaCoble, selected

1941 — STC (South-west Missouri TeachersCollege) Homecominggame against Kirksville-Paul Shelton charged out ofthe stands after the Bears“had lost their 13-pointlead and nobody was work-

1950 parade

1971 parade

1947 parade

Coble

mecomingHomecoming 2012 | 13the-standard.org

University of Missouri-Columbia andivities actually began, Missouri State on in 1921 and continues nowthe nick oftime by exe-cuting a two-point conver-sion to beatEastern Illi-nois, 29-28.1991 —

John Good-man wasgiven an hon-orary footballjersey during theHomecominggame. Goodmantransferred to SMS after playing football at ajunior college in St. Louis, but he never got toplay for the Bears.2002— 300 fans take the field at halftime

to cover Plaster Field end to end with anAmerican Flag as part of the 50th anniversaryof the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Corps atSouthwest Missouri State2012 — “Maroon, White & You!”

declared Homecoming’s theme.For more information about Missouri

State’s Homecoming and all of its events,visit http://alumni.missouristate.edu/Home-coming.htm.

Compiled by Dayle DugginsAll photos courtesy of Missouri State Spe-

cial Collections

Goodman in 1991

How can I getinvolved?

If you haven’t taken part in theevents on campus so far, you can stillbe part of the tradition by checkingout these resources for Homecoming:

Websitehttp://www.missouristate.edu/studen-tengagement/homecoming/default.htm

Facebookwww.facebook.com/MSUHomecom-ing

Twitter@MoStateHC2012


Steph Anderson/THE STANDARDMissouri State linebacker Ryan Callender stretches before a game at Plaster SportsComplex during the fall 2012 football season. Callendar is co-captain for the teamand will play in his fourth Homecoming game this weekend.

By Matt AtenThe Standard

What better time to kickstart your 2-6season than with alumni and ex-players packing Plaster Sports

Complex? Linebacker Ryan Callender saysthat’s exactly the team’s mindset going intoHomecoming weekend.

“It’s just as big as any other game.“ Cal-lender said. “We still want to win and we’retrying to establish a culture of winningaround here, so what better way to get thatstarted than Homecoming? It’s a great oppor-

tunity to get the job done.”Callender will be playing in his fourth

Homecoming game at Missouri State, andwhile the Bears’ record isn’t anything to bragabout, the players feel that this is the time tothank the fans that have shown supportthrough thick and thin.

“The Homecoming game is pretty much achance to give back to the crowd that’s beensupporting us the whole time,” Callendersaid. “Coming out, regardless of the situationand people coming back, ex-players; it’salways fun to see all those guys and just thewhole community coming out.”

Gettinghis gameface on


Homecoming gives Callender and otherplayers to show their appreciation to the fansthat have filled Plaster Sports Complex thisseason; it also gives them a chance to catch upwith family they might not see all semester.

“You always look forward to your parentscoming into town; my whole family will behere so the atmosphere surrounding it is defi-nitely bigger, but we try to just take it a gameat a time.”

While that might all add up to a lot of pres-sure, Callender insists that the key is to not letit get out of control. This game might be thebiggest contest of the season, but Callenderand his teammates are preparing for it just likeany other.

“Our preparation is the same before everygame as a team,“ Callender said. “It starts withgoing to chapel, then team meeting, and thenwe eat. For me, personally, I try to listen tosome music, get stretched out, and then I hitthe field and do some linebacker drills. Then,I head back in and get it going with the guys,blast some music in the locker room, just get-ting ready to play.”

Preparation is the key to success in allsports, but even the most well-prepared play-ers have their superstition and Ryan Callenderis no different.

“I kind of have a superstition on whichway I come down the tunnel, which is kind ofcrazy. If I come down the left side I feel like Ihave great practices, but we’ve been losingthat way. Last week, when we beat South

Dakota, I came down the other side.”Bears fans can count on Ryan Callender

walking down the right side of the tunnel.

Football Facts• The Bears have wonthree of their last fiveHomecoming games andare 23-22 in Homecominggames since 1967.

• The Bears are going fortheir third-consecutive win.The team has not wonthree games in a row sinceSeptember of 2004.

• The all-time seriesbetween MSU andWestern Illinois is tied at15-15-1. The Bears beatthe WIU last year, 31-17.


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