News
August 31
It's that time of the year again. School is back in full swing, the leaves have changed from green to brown, gold, and red, and there is a crisp fall chill in the air. Every year around this time Tufts alumni wander the campus for one of the biggest events of the fall semester - Homecoming. This year's Homecoming, however, will be a momentous occasion as two significant anniversaries will be celebrated: the 75th anniversary of the University's Homecoming and the 125th anniversary of Tufts football. Homecoming is a special weekend for many alumni, as well as students. Graduates flock to the campus to visit old friends and catch up on their alma mater's news and events. For many alums, coming back to Tufts for the weekend evokes happy memories of their own college years. Looking back Over the years, Homecomings at Tufts have evolved from a relatively small gathering of alumni to an entire weekend devoted to spirit-related events including sports games, awards ceremonies, and pep rallies. "Class Day," Tufts' Homecoming precursor, was initiated in 1876, as an alumni reunion of sorts. However, it took place during the spring semester instead of the fall. Today's events and gatherings descended from and evolved from these Class Days. The modern Homecoming at Tufts began in the fall of 1925, when an announcement was made that an alumni get-together would take place after the Tufts football game against Middlebury, played on Nov. 7 of that year. From that day on, Tufts has enjoyed an annual Homecoming celebration. Several events were traditionally held during the Homecoming weekend, including fraternity and sorority open houses for returning alumni as well as current undergraduates. Alumni have also traditionally been invited to visit new buildings and facilities on campus. In 1926, as a special event, alumni were invited to make an inspection of the campus's newest building - Fletcher Hall. Although some traditions have remained strong for several years, such as the crowning of Homecoming Queen, which began in 1948, others have been slowly phased out, perhaps a result of the changing attitudes with the passing of time. During early Homecoming celebrations, the alumni would eat their meals with the undergraduates. This was later changed to a more elegant alumni banquet. Other events included plays, smokers, teas, and lectures. Formal Homecoming dances were also sponsored by various student organizations. For many years, a highlight of the day was the tradition of creating Homecoming displays, which originated in 1951. Dorms, fraternities, and sororities spent weeks constructing displays which stood in the front of the residences. The displays depicted different figures representing both Tufts and the opposing team in the Homecoming football game. Rewards were given to the best displays, but the dorms or houses did not receive actual prizes - instead they were awarded with points. At the end of the year, the points were tabulated and the dorm with the most points gathered from various competitions would receive a large trophy.Football The most well-known event of each Homecoming is the football game. Tufts' opponents have traditionally been Williams and Amherst; this year the Jumbos will have the opportunity to rally against Williams' Purple Cows. This year is particularly special in terms of Tufts football, however, because it marks the 125th anniversary of the first inter-collegiate football game ever played. In 1874, after watching a McGill and Harvard football game in Cambridge, several Tufts students decided that they wanted to start their own team. For the rest of the year, the Tufts men devoted their time to practicing with a particular goal in mind. During the spring of 1875, Tufts challenged Harvard to a football game. The challenge was accepted and the game - considered to be the first official intercollegiate football game in the United States - took place in Cambridge on Jun. 4. Tufts won 6-0. For the next few years, Tufts played only a few football games, mostly due to organizational and scheduling troubles. In 1884, however, Tufts played several games against rivals including Harvard, Dartmouth, and Boston University. Later in 1885, the Northern Football Association was formed by several area colleges, and games were played within this league. During the early years of Tufts football, interest in the team waxed and waned, and some years there wasn't even a Jumbo football team. However, in 1889 interest rebounded and the class of 1891 was able to field a team. Since then, Tufts has played football games each and every year. Not surprisingly, since the first Tufts football teams were student-organized, they did not include a formal coaching staff. Coaches were first introduced in 1886, but were not a standard until 1892. In terms of football and tradition, many of this year's Homecoming events are historically-motivated, most notably the annual parade. This year's theme is one of Jumbo spirit, to honor the 75 years that alumni have been returning to campus to join in showing their Jumbo pride.Distinct from years past There was a changing of the guard this year as the Alumni Association passed its organizational baton to students. Unlike years past, undergraduates coordinated and ran this week's Homecoming events. Campus organizations helped organize the diverse selection of Homecoming activities. Student involvement in Homecoming proceedings extended to the organization of tomorrow's Homecoming parade. Tufts University Spirit Coalition (TUSC) members decided that the parade's theme should focus more on Jumbo pride and school spirit than in years past. Among their many organizational tasks, TUSC members chose the parade's grand marshall, Dot McAveeney, office manager for the Office of Student Activities. To heighten student participation in the parade, TUSC decided to change the parade's route and starting time. This year, the parade will start at 12 p.m. behind Miller Hall. Students participating in the parade will chow down on breakfast outdoors before the official start. TUSC President Paul Fridman said that there is "an impressive lineup of clubs this year" for the parade. Awards will be given for best banner, best float, and most spirited organization; additionally, President DiBiaggio will present his own award.
