University of Idaho - Gem of the Mountains Yearbook (Moscow, ID)

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s if on cue, the leaves slowly A metamorphosed into radiant golds, vermillions, scarlets, oranges, and chartreuses; and students suddenly burst into fervid activity: shining windows, trim- ming bushes, arranging rooms and painting welcome posters. The campus sparkled in preparation of Homecoming. Everyone and everything stood in piquant an- ticipation... And then, bang! The celebration began. Homecoming activities kicked off on Thursday afternoon with Presidents Gibb and Artis’ brain- child, the First Campus Bash. Ac- cording to Barry Bonifas, ASUI Programs Coordinator, nearly 1,200 students gathered on the Ad Lawn to listen to the rock ‘n’ roll music of Dark Star, to gobble down 2,500 cups of chocolate and strawberry ice cream, to frolic in the warm Indian-summer sunshine, and to enjoy their fellow students’ whimsical conversations. During the band’s intermission, several members of the Society for Creative Anachronism engaged in a mock-medieval tournament. Clad in homemade suits of armor, these twentieth-century knights battled with each other to demonstrate their chivalry. “Don't let this tournament fool you,” said SCR’s president, Dave Nikolich. “We don't simply play war games. Since the purpose of this club is to have fun while recreating medieval life in all its forms, we also study this era’s customs, dancing, food, writing and history.” And, how did the students like this brainchild? Immensely! But, as Josephine Ortega, a Lorain, Ohio senior, good-naturedly pointed out, “You can definitely tell that times are changing. Five years ago it was student protest and dissention. Today, only ice cream socials.” Regardless of change, this ice cream social started off Homecoming wonderfully. Later that evening, students assembled in the Arboretum for the annual homecoming bonfire in honor of the football team. With the fire blazing in the background, sororities, fraternities, and resident halls performed skits, based on the theme “An Idaho Round-Up,” for the student body and a panel of judges. Gault Hall's skit took first; Vandal brothers. Michael Chestnut stands along side his Vandal Big Brother,” sophomore linebacker Chris Seidel, while watching the homecoming game. Many team mem- bers adopted little brothers before the season began. (photo by M. LaOrange) omecoming hoedown - A down-home victory celebration Alpha Phi’s second; and Kappa Kappa Gamma’s third. The highlight of the evening, however, was the crowning of Queen Lisa Hoalst, a Meridian junior and a member of Delta Delta Delta. Hoalst’s attendants were Tracy Carmack, a Resident Ad- visor at McCoy Hall, and Rhonda Correll, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Hoalst called her experience as homecoming queen “unreal.” “I had never,” she exclaimed, “ever been the center of that much at- tention. Most of the time I didn't know what to say, especially when I'd come home and find roses on my dresser. Usually I mumbled something silly, like ‘Wow’. I feel like I just finished living a dream.” Friday's events included an open house at the Alumni Center, several reunion dinners, a Parents Association celebration in the Kib- bie Dome, the showing of North Dallas Forty, and a dance spon- sored by the LDS Student Association. Despite the rain and cold, on Saturday morning several hundred students, townspeople and visitors continued [ On parade. The Golden Girls, Idaho's dance team, tide the parade route on a fire engine. The squad performs during half-time of (photo by M. LaOrange) Homecoming i

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A royal pose. Pre-game activities included the crowning of the homecoming royalty. Queen Lisa Hoalst, a Meridian junior, Is accompanied by her attendants Tracy Carmack and Rhonda Correll. (photo by M. LaOrange) Rain or shine. Children always enjoy parades. Facinated by the floats, marching bands and fire engines, parents and youngsters alike lined the streets of downtown Moscow to view the early-morning spec- tacle. (photo by B. Bain) Under cover. UI President Richard Gibb finds shelter from the driving rain prior to the parade’s onset. He shares an umbrella with the Chamber of Commerce President. (photo by B. Bain) 10 Homecoming

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ffoedown continued lined Main Street to watch the traditional homecoming parade. Eagerly anticipating the event, the spectators found various ways to keep warm: some people sipped coffee, others bounced up and down to keep their circulation flowing; some held quiet con- versations with their neighbors; and a few munched on caramel ap- ples sold by the university's Office Education Association. As the music of the Vandal Mar- ching Band drifted up Main Street and sky divers filtered down from heaven, the crowd pushed forward The children, who only ten minutes before had been running and yelling, squeezed between adults in order to get close to the on- coming spectacle. A hush fell over downtown Moscow. “Boom! Boom! Boom!” sang the drum as the marching band loomed into sight. Raising their in- struments to their lips, the musicians blared out Idaho's Fight Song. Instinctively, the crowd began to clap; children mimicked the musicians by marching in place; and a few supporters sang. Closely behind the band followed Terry Armstrong, the parade’s Grand Marshall, and his secret service (ten male students dressed in black trench coats). The homecoming parade offically began. And, what a parade it was. Bands and drill teams from local high schools, junior highs, and clubs braved the elements to entertain the spectators. The crowd definitely appreciated the per- formance: each group was greeted by a round of applause. Numerous clowns, dressed as Santa, Miss Piggy, Sylvester the Cat, and other famous characters, darted in- termittently from behind the bands, drill teams, and floats. Children squealed in delight as they reached out to touch this living fan- tasy. A whole array of politicians and political hopefuls, including 12 Homecoming Cont. Governor John Evans, partcipated in the events. ..find floats. Not as many as one would see in the Rose Bowl Parade, but enough to make it a gala event Vandal football players, charac- terized as cowboys with white hats, and Weber State Wildcats, charac- terized as pussy cats, dominated the theme of all the floats. Joe Van- dal, riding a gigantic Rainier bot- tle, lassoed a wildcat in one float. The amount of time spent building these floats was evident. Even the nuns from St. Mary’s demonstrated their loyalty and dedication to the UL One nun, dressed in her traditional habit, rode her bike from one end of Main to another with a sign, Say a Prayer for Idaho,” tacked onto the cycle seat. It was not just a university homecoming parade; it was a com- munity event. The city exhibited its love for the university. And then it was over. Main Street became merely a street again as the crowd dissolved ... time for foot- ball. Nearly 15,000 people crowded into the Kibbie Dome to watch Idaho and Weber State's Big Sky opener. The Dome pulsated tension for it was Idaho's homecoming game, and the fans wanted a vic- tory. Weber State led through most of the game with its more balanced attack, while Idaho's aerial acrobatics kept the Vandals within striking distance. And, strike they did. Trailing 31-21, fleet-footed Vic Wallace hauled in two Ken Hobart touchdown passes for a 35- 31 Idaho lead with less that eight minutes remaining. Weber State added a field goal and Idaho held on for a fitting one point victory. The game proved to be a thriller in more ways than one. Yes, fate smiled warmly on the homecoming festivities. Other than a rainy Saturday morning, Mother Nature blessed the Palouse with sunshine, while the Vandals top ped off the weekend with an ex- citing victory over Weber State. Could we have asked for more? Nicolette Carrell