Heather Wolf
coordinator of Student Activities, Nebraskan Student Union, 308.865.839
UNK– “Where the Magic Happens” is the theme for the 2010 University of Nebraska at Kearney Homecoming Week, scheduled for Sept. 27- Oct. 2.
Homecoming activities begin on Monday, Sept. 27, with the banner design contest at 4 p.m. In this competition, student organizations decorate banners that hang in various academic building on campus. The banners will later be displayed at the Loper volleyball game and the lip sync competition. The banners will be judged on originality, promotion of Loper spirit, quality of workmanship, correlation of the theme and overall affect.
On Tuesday, Sept. 28, at 3:30 p.m., the “Battle of the Brains” academic quiz bowl and spirit competition will be held in the UNK Health and Sports Center. “Battle of the Brains” consists of teams of six players who answer questions that cover all areas of academic knowledge. Points are earned for each correct answer and awards will be presented for the first, second and third place teams. During the spirit competition student groups perform a one minute cheer or spirit song that they created. The spirit competition is judged on originality/creativity, enthusiasm/crowd response, promotion of theme and being within the time limit.
“The Homecoming contests are judged by various faculty and staff around the campus,” said Heather Wolf, UNK student activities coordinator. “Loper Programming and Activities Council students recruit faculty and staff to judge for each individual event.”
The annual Lip Sync Contest and Royalty Crowning will be Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m., in the UNK Health and Sports Center. Student groups may use a maximum of 12 songs to create a four-minute performance. Judging will be based on appearance/costumes, originality and creativity, choreography, lip sync talent and song choice. Homecoming royalty will be crowned after the Lip Sync Contest.
“The largest attendance in addition to the parade is definitely Lip Sync,” Wolf said. “We usually have a student attendance between 1,500 and 2,000 students.”
On Friday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m., a trike race will be held at the UNK Bell Tower. Each team will consist of two men, two women and an alternate. The teams will race four laps around a marked track with each member completing a lap. The team with the fastest time will win.
“I think the great thing about Homecoming, in addition to the school pride that is shown, is the activities that are incorporated into the week spark interests in different students,” Wolf said. “Some may enjoy being outgoing and loud, and their favorite is lip sync. Others enjoy using their knowledge, and their favorite is Battle of the Brains. The events are able to incorporate all different types of students.”
Homecoming day will be Saturday, Oct. 2, which begins at 10 a.m. with a parade down Central Avenue. Student floats will be judged on originality, identification with the theme, quality of workmanship and overall affect. Animation will earn competitors bonus points.
The Homecoming football game will kick off Saturday at 1p.m., with the Lopers facing Adams State. The winner of the Homecoming parade student float and overall Homecoming competition winners will be announced during half-time of the UNK football game.
According to Wolf, the top three groups in each competition receive trophies, and the overall top three groups for the entire Homecoming competition receive grand trophies and bragging rights.
