Waves fans near and far and young and old will gather on campus for what organizers promise to be a jam-packed Homecoming weekend.
Tighter finances across campus and the country have not diminished the size of the budget according to Homecoming 2009 organizers in the Seaver Alumni Office. Seaver College’s Homecoming and Reunions Manager Tara Lawrence said because sponsorships were obtained in September and October and costs are close to the same as last year they have not had to readjust plans.
However Lawrence said the poor economy did affect reunion attendance.
“Since people are cutting everything except basic necessities some people are cutting Homecoming [reunions] Lawrence said. Even though we think it’s a basic necessity.”
In 2008 the overall attendance was 1850 people however with travel down nationwide it’s unclear how many will attend this year.
As of Tuesday 400 alumni preregistered for the Homecoming celebration approximately the same number that was registered this time last year. Lawrence said the number usually climbs as Homecoming approaches.
For alumni Homecoming means reunions and special events galore. The most popular events are the Best of Pepperdine Lecture Series Waves 5th Quarter Homecoming Village and the Ultimate Frisbee tournament according to Kelly O’Rear Manager of Special Events and Alumni Communications for the Alumni Association.
For students Homecoming means the Spirit Cup the tailgate party the annual lip-sync competition and Homecoming King and Queen coronation.
The Spirit Cup competition begins Thursday in the Waves Café and is a three-day competition shorter than last year’s weeklong competition. Four of the six teams vying for the Cup are primarily comprised of Greek organizations. The Greeks will be joined by last year’s victor the athletics team along with the newest contender the College Republicans team.
Freshman Ali Parker member of the College Republicans attributed her club’s participation to former President and senior Ryan Sawtelle’s desire to get the club more involved in different activities on campus.
“It helps show potential members that we’re active and continue to do stuff on campus she said.
The games begin Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Waves Café with the Greased Lightning Speed Reading.” Next “Broadway Bake Off” challenges the teams to bake and decorate food according to a particular musical theme. “Footloose Dodgeball” and field games are Friday’s featured competitions.
Some teams are already getting in the spirit.
“I’m going to Homecoming because I want to see Kappa win said Kappa Kappa Gamma freshman Jordann Schoonover.
The Spirit Cup is a major part of students’ Homecoming experience, but the final competition, the lip-sync competition, in combination with the tailgate party (which includes free In-N-Out) has historically drawn the largest crowds, according to Lawrence. These events are to be held at Alumni Park at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.
In the past, in spite of the free food, games and networking opportunities with alumni, students have not attended in large numbers, according to Homecoming organizers.
Some some students are unaware Homecoming is occurring this weekend.
Homecoming? Is that coming up?” said Freshman Brian Neu.
Lawrence said she hopes to see more students at the events and some students said they will be trying out Homecoming for the first time this year.
“I’ve never been to [Pepperdine] Homecoming mostly because I can’t imagine homecoming without football said Junior Sarah Thompson. But I’m going to go this year and check it out.”
The Seaver Business Division is hosting a whiffle ball game on Saturday and on Sunday the Pepperdine Alumni Association is hosting the second annual alumni versus students in an ultimate Frisbee game.
With the forecast of rainy skies and a potentially muddy Alumni Park the back-up plan is simply to move all the festivities into the Waves Café.