Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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homecoming and has sponsored them since, said Chet Peters, former Blue Key adviser. After brainstorming for a theme for Homecoming ' 86, Blue Key chose Purple Pride, a K-State Tradition. We felt that it reflected the spirit of the college, said Carey Avery, senior in bakery science and member of Blue Key. The Homecoming activities included Body Building and Yell Like Hell contests. The Pant the Chant competition was staged during the annual bonfire. The parade through downtown Manhattan and Aggieville was cancelled due to bad weather. As a result, the floats were displayed and judged outside KSU stadium. Homecoming festivities were completed when the winners of spirit competitions and the two new University ambassadors were announced at halftime of the football game. The 1986 Ambassadors were Jada Allerheiligan, junior in jour- nalism and mass and Mark Buyle, junior in marketing. After totaling the points from the contests, the overall winning team of Delta Delta Delta Alpha Tau Omega was awarded the Donna Rosenhagen, right, cheers with Lee Ann Wells during homecoming activities in the Union Courtyard. (Photo by Andy Nelson) Doug Stone, Chris Bowman and Mark Gros slap the floor during the Body building competition segment of Homecoming. These men are members of the Sigma Nu fraternity and were participating in the competition with the Kappa Alpha Thetas. (Photo by Andy Nelson) All-University Spirit Award. The winners of the greek float competition tied, Pi Beta Phi Phi Delta Theta and Delta Delta Delta Alpha Tau Omega. Marlatt Boyd earned first place for the residence halls. K-State still has the tradition of homecoming and it is still a big part of the University, said Joleen Hill, 1962 K-State graduate. The tradition may continue but some things have changed since 1915. In the fall of 1932, 10 women were nominated by the sororities as candidates for the first homecoming queen. Dissatisfaction with the traditional queen surfaced in 1972 when a male homecoming queen candidate was nominated by a residence hall. In 1973, Blue Key and Mortar Board chose couples to represent each of three major eras of K-State history.. No royalty or couples were chosen in 1975 or 1976. In 1977, a new tradition began when the student body elected two K-State Ambassadors for the first time. The ambassadors have had the responsibility of representing the students to alumni and friends of the university. Blue Key adviser David Mugler, associate dean and director of resident instruction, said, A lot of students still get fired up for homecoming. There is great enthusiam, and the level of enthusiasm may be correlated to the extent of involvement. 27

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by Mindy Stubenhofer and Jenee Urbanek In 1915, football coach John Jawn Bender started a movement to invite alumni back to K-State to honor the Old — former athletes. by this movement, the First Homecoming Day was Oct. 23, 1915. The tradition of homecoming is still alive at K-State. The purpose of homecoming is to provide spirit for the football team and bring in alumni, said Kelly Welch, senior in agricultural economics and president of Blue Key. Blue Key first sponsored homecoming activities in 1935, Angie Boeve completes the top of the pyramid by standing on the stomach of Kris Tulp during the Pi Kappa Alpha and the Alpha Delta Pi section of the Body building competition. (Photo by Andy Nelson) 26

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Andre Kelley, a student comedian, acts as master of ceremonies during the beginning of the show. (Photo by John LaBarge) Michael A. Smith, comedian from St. Louis, opens Comedy Invasion at Bushwacker ' s. (Photo by John LaBarge)