Oklahoma State University - Redskin Yearbook (Stillwater, OK)

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FAN'-TASTIC Cowboy spirit more than a band when the University of Oklahoma marching band takes the field at haiftime in Norman they are introduced as the Pride and come to be im- mediately known by this moniker. Ap- propriately dubbed, they are in stature the Pride as well as in name. Seven- ty-six miles to the north another such nickname, not quite as well-known but definitely as deserved, is attached to the Cowboy marching band from Oklahoma State. Our marching band unit is collec- tively referred to as the Spirit of Okla- homa, and a more apt tag could not be given. The Spirit refers to more than just the Cowboy Band, however. It refers to the general frame of mind of all OSU fans. They are boisterous, active, rowdy, spirited individuals who have come a long way from the fair-weather friends of five or six years ago. Cowboy fans and Cowboy spirit are now die-hard traditions at OSU and a major abstacle for our Big Eight com- petition. The spirit quickly becomes a phobia that everyone gets caught up in and drawn into. Pistol Pete, a nationally ac- claimed mascot, is never at a loss for antics. The regional champion cheerleading squad always has one or two all-staters in it's roster and i f nothing else the pom pon squad always seems to get the blood circulating. But the spirit does not stop with the spirit units — it goes onto the field with the Spirit drum and the Spirit ride. It flows down along the sidelines into the team, whether it's Hansen's or Jones' it's there, it's real and it's appre- ciated. But nowhere can the real spirit of OSU be better exemplified than in the fans themselves. The cheering and yelling form the bleacher bums in their long coats and painted faces to the neat organization of the Cowboy Co-eds. When it comes to school spirit and sup- port, the pride may be down south with their noses in the air, but the courtesy of the Cowboys is in Stillwater where the true Spirit of Oklahoma makes its home. m campus life 1 5

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HOMECOMING Here's looking at '85 Homecoming comes but once a year, so students like to make the most of it. Working on floats, decorating houses, painting windows, making signs and cof- fee occupied many in the weeks before the game. This year's Homecoming theme was Here's Looking at You, OSU...A Cen- tennial Decade View. It was everywhere, on floats, windows and people's backs. Other phenomena occurred: elaborate structures for floats, house decorations appearing on campus literally overnight, people disappearing, only to reappear days later with a glazed look in their eyes, chanting 'pomp, pomp. Homecoming had officially begun. Hard work paid off for some. Sigma Nu and Chi Omega won first place in the Class AA House Decoration division. Second place went to Alpha Chi Omega and Delta Upsilon and third place win- ners were Zeta Tau Delta and Delta Tau Delta. Class A House Decoration win- ners were Kappa Alpha Theta and Sigma Chi, f irst place, and Stout Hall, second place. Other Homecoming traditions are the walkabout, parade, homecoming dance and the crowning of the homecoming queen. The walkabout, when people walk about looking at different house decora- tions, occurred the night before the game. Students crowded the streets, looking, walking and bringing traffic to a halt. Babes-in-arms, parents, townspeo- ple, alumni, pets and others joined the crowd. Judging of the house decorations took place during the walkabout. The giant Homecoming pep rally took place at Lewis Stadium after the walkabout. The Homecoming parade was Satur- day morning. Floats representing dif- ferent organizations, the OSU band and cars carrying the homecoming queen candidates comprised the parade. Peo- ple thronged the streets early to get a good view. After the parade. Poke fans worked themselves into a frenzy for the game. The Pokes played the Kansas State Wildcats. The game was a good'un. The Pokes won, 35-3. During halftime, winners in the house, float and overall competition were an- nounced and the homecoming queen crowned. She was Janet Leach, Still- water chemical engineering major. Other winners were, in Class AA float competition, Kappa Delta and Alpha Gamma Rho, first place. Second place went to Phi Mu and Alpha Tau Omega, an d third place winners were Delta Zeta and Lambda Chi Alpha. Class A float winners were Chi Omega and Sigma Nu, first place, Alpha Chi Omega and Delta Upsilon second. Third place winners were Kappa Alpha Theta and Sigma Chi. Sweepstakes winners, those with the highest overall points in Homecoming competition were Chi Omega and Sigma Nu. The President's Cup, awarded for the most outstanding single entry went to Alpha Gamma Rho and Kappa Delta. Winners in the sign competition were Phi Mu and Alpha Tau Omega, iirst place. Second place were Zeta Tau Alpha and Delta Tau Delta, third place were Delta Zeta and Lambda Chi Alpha. Homecoming provided a good time for all. With the hard work put into floats, decorations and other activities, some Pokes were pooped. After the game, the Homecoming spirit was still present. A dance to celebrating the slaughter of Kansas State and living through Homecoming let everyone let go. Some filled local eateries, such as Eskimo |oe's, The Fox and Fargo's. Any open doorway on the strip was filled with happy poke fans. Homecoming might be considered a state of mind. Diversions like classes try to keep one from fully participating, but usually don't. Homecoming is fun. Everybody gets a little bit caught up in it. Even before Homecoming '85 is over, before the chicken wire comes down and the pomps are thrown away, plans for next year are being made. campus life 1 7