University of North Carolina Greensboro - Pine Needles Yearbook (Greensboro, NC)

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1 ot in the ninety-one-year history of this school has there been an event to compare with the magnitude and celebration UNC-G ' s first Homecoming. For a university sadly lacking in traditions around which students can rally, the advent of Homecoming was indeed a blessing. It was the unanimous opinion of the five thousand Spartan fans gathered at Jamieson Stadium that this was the breath needed to resuscitate the fainting spirit of UNC-G. Since the addition of men to the campus in 1964 the changes they have made are vital to the rise of col- legiate spirit. This was never as evi- dent as on the night of October 28, 1982. Thanks to seventeen young men and their coaches, UNC-G celebrated its first Homecoming game and festivities. In view of the wildly enthusiastic response from the crowds it it may seem unbelievable that there had been stiff opposition to the proposed idea of electing a homecoming queen. The purpose of the event was to foster spirit and encourage unity of students, faculty, and administration traditional to so many universities. Whereas it took an individual to try defeating the proposal, another in- dividual led the fight to create and establish the badly needed tradition. Early in October Student Senate passed a resolution condemning the selection of a homecoming queen calling the event discriminatory and debasing. The resolution, co- authored by the Student Govern- ment Vice President and a senator, stated that the university and its stu- The Birth, Breath, and Blessing of Homecoming by MARKS LANE dent orgnizations had a policy of non-discrimination based on dif- ferences such as sex and race. The authors felt the election was therefore demeaning to any woman involved because it placed emphasis on physical characteristics. Further- more, they insisted the election would be detrimental to race rela- tions at UNC-G. The voice of the majority, Randy McGuire, defended the objectives of the contest. As Vice President of EUC Council and coordinator of the contest, he made it clear that the desire of the Council was to ensure equal representation for all student organizations. McQuire maintained that the nomination process had covered all organizations without regard to race and as democratically as possible. McGuire nobly continued with his plans for the contest despite the resolutions and ramifications. He and the Council held the view that the students were desperately searching for something around which to rally. Undoubtedly, a homecoming queen crowned at the soccer match against Notre Dame would appeal to the masses and ensure a renewed interest in the rise of tradition at UNC-G. And rally they did! An hour before the start of the soccer match the crowds flowed into the stadium. The turnout and show of support was unequaled by any event in the school ' s History. At 7 p.m. six finalists in the homecoming queen contest were escorted onto the field. Each contestant had the distinction of being a member of the first homecoming court at UNC-G. At 7:05 the crowd roared as the crown was placed on the head of one of the most delightful and distinguished personalities in recent UNC-G memories. Elizabeth Skoal Ford, representing Tau Kappa Ep- silon fraternity, captured the limelight as the first homecoming queen in the school ' s ninety-one-year history. Escorted by TKE Joey Katzenstein, she represented a triumph for the EUC Council and a milestone in the development and preservation of true American col- legiate tradition. At 7:30 all attention was focused on the Spartans as they took control of the ball and continued to possess it most of the first half. They fired shot after shot to succeed only with a penalty kick. A very grueling second half brought only one goal for the Irish and excitement soared as regulation time ended with a tie. Even a double overtime did not affect the Spartans ' performance. The Irish proved their luck in an eventual vic- tory: the Spartans proved their strength. In a year when blessings were counted slowly and traditions saw slow, sometimes unstable beginnings, we must not fail to acknowledge the true gift which was given our school. Though we lost the game, we won a tradition to be shared by future students, faculty, and ad. inistra- tion. We can be proud that wt par- ticipated in the birth, breath, and blessing of Homecoming. 6 — Opening

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