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

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Record crowds, entertainment and a Vandal victory made Homecoming the best of limes ain dampened the participants but not the spirit of Homecoming 1983. Using the theme The Best of Times, the university attempted to fill an October weekend with enough activities to satisfy the students, their parents, 150 alumni from the class of 1958, more than 100 visitors atten- ding the Alpha Gamma Delta 25th anniversary reunion, and 100 retur- ning athletes of the 1900 to 1940's era. Activities really began Wednesday night with the Bonfire pep rally sponsored by the homecoming com- mittee and the cheerleaders. The bon- fire has been a favorite event of homecoming participants for more than 50 years. In the past the rally was always held on Thursday night but the committee decided to try Wednesday night since there is usually a lighter classload for students on Thursdav, than there is on Friday. A post-homecoming evaluation showed there was an increase in attendance from the past years so the bon- fire may be moved to Wednesday per- manently. Students were presented with skits by sorority pledge classes and a special appearance of the Gault Ridge Bovs. The Gault Hall men won the skit competi- tion, with the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority in second place. The cheerleaders led the crowd in several cheers and the male cheerleaders even did their own dance routine. Friday, living groups put up colorful decora- tions outside their houses and halls and houses wallpapered the Kibbiedome with posters for the football team. But when morning Gault style. One of the hall skits at the bonfire was the Gault Ridge Boys from Gault Hall. John Griggs and Robert Koon ham it up before the crowd. (Photo by D. Gilbertson) came, so did the rain, and the crepe paper sagged into the leaves on the street, and the letters on the floats became illegible as the rain washed them away before they could even begin their trek down Main Street. Junior Miss con- testants and the homecoming court were hidden beneath umbrellas as they rode on the hoods of cars. Drill team members wore rain slickers as water dripped off their hair and trickled down their noses. Unsuspec- ting spectators were sprayed with water when saturated flag Rest in peace. Friday's warm sunshine didn't last long and neither did the Grizzlies offense when Idaho beat them Saturday in the Dome. (Photo by M. McDonald) corps executed their routines. David Maxey, a UI graduate of '58 and Geo editor now residing in New York City, served as Grand Marshall. The homecoming festivities drew alumni from all corners of the country including Georgia, Maryland and Virginia. Delta Tau Delta won the float competition, with Gamma Phi Beta and Phi Delta Theta sharing the second place title. After the parade a record crowd of 16,400 packed the dome to see the Montana Grizzlies continued Homecoming 13

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Fired up. During the bonfire living groups performed skits and entertained one of the largest crowds ever. (Photo by D. Gilbertson) Calling the shots. Playing before the largest crowd ever, 16,400, the Vandals blew away the Montana Grizzlies. Coach Dennis Erickson calls in a play from the sideline. (Photo by P. Jerome) House arrangements. While the weather was warm members of the Pi Beta Phi sorority decorate their house for homecom- ing. (Photo by M. McDonald) 12 Homecoming

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Best of times fall to Coach Erikson and the Vandals, 45-24. Ken Hobart connected on 25 of 33 passes and left the Grizzlies stan- ding in the rain. The game opened with the Vandaleers performing to “Try to Remember accom- panied by the UI Mar- ching Band. Then the Idaho band and guest bands from area high schools presented a medley of favorite tunes. Half-time entertain- ment presented the 1983 premiere perfor- mance of the UI Golden Girls dance troupe, dancing to Idaho , a contem- Child's play. Homecoming week was a great success and was top- ped off with the over- whelming win over Mon- tana 45-24. (Photo by 8. Spiker) 14 Homecoming porary school song. The ROTC color guard then escorted homecoming royalty onto the field. Julie Taylor, president of Gamma Phi Beta was second runner up, Tammy Laven of Forney Hall was first runner up and Tina Ar- macost, president of Delta Gamma replaced Lisa Hoalst as the reign- ing Homecoming Queen of 1983. Nancy Riordan, assis- tant director of alumni relations, said the Homecoming Evalua- tion Committee gave the 1983 Homecoming four stars. “Our only complaint Rail-ing. Even though the Greg Kihn band cancelled out for homecoming students turned out in large numbers for the Rail con- cert in the SUB Ballroom. (Photo by 8. Spiker) was the rain,” she said. “We did come up with some suggestions for next year.” Plans have already begun for 1984. Rior- dan said the university would like to increase the number of entrants in the parade and in- volve the community in the activities more. Plans are also under- way to provide the liv- ing groups with better access to trailers, materials, etc. for float building. Philip Kleffner, Director of Alumni Relations, said he felt the weekend was very successful and that events like this aid a university in the long run. “I think people tend to support financially what they feel emo- tionally, Kleffner said. Some topped off their Best of Times by attending the Theatre Department's produc- tion of Matchmaker at the Hartung Theatre, while others attended one of the two homecoming dances at the SUB ballroom and Elk's Lodge. Others were content to end the weekend with a Chinese dinner, or an ice cream cone, or anywhere warm, and dry, and out of the rain. Gwen Powell E