University of Wisconsin Eau Claire - Periscope Yearbook (Eau Claire, WI)

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Stnty Zdh|n w w beer, blue skies, and a big win! H OMECOMING ’86 Sporting the theme ‘'Burn The Blue Devils ... I«et’s Give Them Hell'’, Homecoming ’86 was everything a homecoming should be. The beer poured, the sky didn't, and the football team walked off the field with a shutout. There was singing and snake'dancing and Blugold spirit at its finest during a week of festivities beginning Sept. 29. The Royal Lichtenstein Quarter-Ring Sidewalk Circus ignited Homecoming week in spectacular fashion. Billed as the world’s smallest complete circus, the California based ensemble staged an hour-long performance complete with juggling, comedy, magic, mime, trapeze and animal acts, behind the University Arena. Bridgman Hall reigned as overall winner of this year’s Homecoming Event Sweepstakes which included mattress races, human pyramids, tug-o-war, and frisbee golf. Bridgman also voiced its way to victory in the UAC-spon-sored Yell-Like-Hell pep rally Wednesday evening. The 1986 Varsity Show, one of Homecoming’s most popular events, look place Friday evening in the arena. Sid Youngers, a Minneapolis comedian, hosted the annual showcase of the community and campus’ finest talent, which was immediately followed by a torchlight parade to the campus central mall for the Coronation ceremonies. Tim Scanlon and Stephanie Dorman were selected by the student body as 1986 Homecoming King and Queen. The Coronation, itself, reigns second only to the football game as the longest standing Homecoming tradition in UWEC history, though this year’s royalty participated in a new twist on an old standard, squaring off in the first-ever Royalty Feud held Tuesday night at Sneakers. Saturday's events began with the celebration that best brought together campus and community spirit — the Homecoming Parade. Morris Hayes, UWEC music professor and choral division coordinator, served as grand marshal. This year’s theme proved itself an accurate one Saturday afternoon, as the Blugolds fired up for a 2(H) victory over the UW-Stoul Blue Devils at Carson Park. The 1986 Homecoming celebration culminated Saturday evening in the Spruce-Tamarack Room with the Hell oween Masquerade Dance. Music for the event was provided by jazz group The Hot 19, and rock band Ambush. Lori Knope Member l the New Richmond high xhool marching band add nme oomph lo the Homecoming parade. Utfunnr Kko homecoming 13

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12 homecoming OiM K nWy Quarterback Bob Gclhaui demonstrates good leadership skill at he calls the Blugolds to victory. Innocent Men John Grupe, Dan Wollgram, Bill Parks. Mike Johnson. Todd Kaphaom. and Ron Vol croon to a capacity crowd at the 1986 Homecoming Varsity Show.

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the tradition continues H OMECOMIMQ ACTIVITIES Tradition. It's what Homecoming is all about. The fight on the football field, the quest for the crown, yelling like hell — they’re the building blocks of the week of festivities, many of which go back to the Eau Claire Normal School's very first homecoming celebration. The 1926 PERISCOPE hailed the first Homecoming, held October 9-10, 192S, as an “unqualified success , in spite of the football team’s loss to River Falls. The pre-game assembly, the Varsity Show predecessor, featured Bill Gavin as “major-domo , as well as songs, speeches and stunts. Homecoming 27 brought the first snake dance. At nine-thirty on the eve of the game, students joined hands and paraded through the streets of the business district, stopping every so often to cheer. Then, reported PERISCOPE, “the football boys were given a linal cheer and sent home to bed, but with the student body, the spirit exhibited throughout the day continued far into the night. This year's student body proved no slouch at carrying on that hall of the tradition! 1927 also provided some rough beginnings to the annual parade, as cars, trucks, and the mysterious McIntyre's vehicle filled with shouting students made their way through the streets. The first organized parade was held the following year, and the event has gone on to become the one that best displays joint spirit and enthusiasm on behalf oi the campus and the entire community. Not only was 1928 the year of the first organized parade, but also the first homecoming dance, and the original “Ycll-Like-Hell — then known as the “Rooting Contest”. The major-domo of the pre-game assembly took first place that year, followed by the opponent's boosters, and the janitors. It wasn't until the 1960's that the event took on the elaborate strategies, choreography, and cheers it is known for today. The first royalty competition was held in 1939, and only a queen and her attendants were elected. In recent years the coronation has been held on the footbridge, combining the beauty of both the campus and event. Lori Knopc A pile ol pais go lor a win in the human pyramid competition. part of the UAC Homecoming Event Sweep-stakes. 14 campus events