Project Editor: Stephanie Demers, History 470: Digital History, Spring 2008

Tracing the history of homecoming traditions at universities is a bit unclear, as many schools claim to have held the first homeomcing celebration. Homecoming traditions began in order to unite alumni and students, creating a bond through school pride. By the 1920s, universities across the United States brought alumni back with homecoming celebration. The main focus of homecoming was the football game. Additional events, such as a parades, dances, and pep rallies ignited school spirit on campuses and communities across the nation.

Homecoming traditions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) date back to 1912. Over 500 alumni returned to their Alma Mater for the celebration. (DN 10-29-51) Homecoming traditions at UNL are well established and resonate pride in alumni. The Greek system and its members play a special role in homecoming festivities and hold an important significance in the history of homecoming, especially during the Great Depression. Unfortunately, consecutive homecoming committees (1932-1934) cancelled the well-known and loved house decoration competition due to tight budgets. (DN 10-9-32, 10-10-33, 10-17-34) By 1936, the Innocents Society had rallied enough support to encourage houses to decorate for homecoming once again.

The lawn displays and decorations adorning Greek row began in 1923. The decorations began as a competition hosted by the Innoncents Society. By the late 1920s, almost every Greek house joined in the fun, welcoming grads and the opposing team with elaborate lawn displays. Each fraternity and sorority, if participating in the competition, would build a lawn display to coincide with the homecoming theme. While most houses participated, it was not required.

When the competition first began, category divisisions were split between fraternities and sororities. First and second place from each division were awarded silver trophey cups. THe judging took place the Friday night before the big game. Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Gamma Phi Beta brough home silver cutps in the first ever homecoming decoration compeitition.

Reminiscing of homecomings past, some alumni relive each football play; others remember bon fires and pep rallies, while some cherish memories of building homecoming decoration displays and winning homecoming activities. The homecoming displays began as a way to strike interest in students on campus and out of town guests in the homecoming game. (DN 10-28-36) Sadly, there is a period of time students will not recall the homecoming decorations.

The Great Depression during the 1930s brought economic hardships for the entire nation, including the Greek houses on UNL's campus. This led to the canceling of homecoming decoration competitons from 1932-1934. (DN 10-9-32,DN 10-10-33,DN 10-17-34) During the 1933-34 school year, on average, students cost for school and living was $440.00, and some pinched pennies so much they only spent $200.00. (Sawyer, Centennial History of the University of Nebraska (Volume 2)) One can imagine, while eveyone spent as little as possible to make it by, spending $25 to create homcoing decorations would not be justifiable.

While the Great Depression may have hindered the homecoming decorations competition for a few years, it wouldn't take long for the colorful tradition to make it's way back into the homecoming ritual. Meanwhile though, the Innocents Society did their best to keep up the Cornhusker pride with dances, bon fires and alumni banquets.

Reminiscing of homecomings past, some alumni relive each football play; others remember bon fires and pep rallies, while some cherish memories of building homecoming decoration displays and winning homecoming activities. The homecoming displays began as a way to strike interest in students on campus and out of town guests in the homecoming game. (DN 10-28-36) Sadly, there is a period of time students will not recall the homecoming decorations.

The Great Depression during the 1930s brought economic hardships for the entire nation, including the Greek houses on UNL's campus. This led to the canceling of homecoming decoration competitons from 1932-1934. (DN 10-9-32,DN 10-10-33,DN 10-17-34) During the 1933-34 school year, on average, students cost for school and living was $440.00, and some pinched pennies so much they only spent $200.00. (Sawyer, Centennial History of the University of Nebraska (Volume 2)) One can imagine, while eveyone spent as little as possible to make it by, spending $25 to create homcoing decorations would not be justifiable.

While the Great Depression may have hindered the homecoming decorations competition for a few years, it wouldn't take long for the colorful tradition to make it's way back into the homecoming ritual. Meanwhile though, the Innocents Society did their best to keep up the Cornhusker pride with dances, bon fires and alumni banquets.

Reminiscing of homecomings past, some alumni relive each football play; others remember bon fires and pep rallies, while some cherish memories of building homecoming decoration displays and winning homecoming activities. The homecoming displays began as a way to strike interest in students on campus and out of town guests in the homecoming game. (DN 10-28-36) Sadly, there is a period of time students will not recall the homecoming decorations.

The Great Depression during the 1930s brought economic hardships for the entire nation, including the Greek houses on UNL's campus. This led to the canceling of homecoming decoration competitons from 1932-1934. (DN 10-9-32,DN 10-10-33,DN 10-17-34) During the 1933-34 school year, on average, students cost for school and living was $440.00, and some pinched pennies so much they only spent $200.00. (Sawyer, Centennial History of the University of Nebraska (Volume 2)) One can imagine, while eveyone spent as little as possible to make it by, spending $25 to create homcoing decorations would not be justifiable.

While the Great Depression may have hindered the homecoming decorations competition for a few years, it wouldn't take long for the colorful tradition to make it's way back into the homecoming ritual. Meanwhile though, the Innocents Society did their best to keep up the Cornhusker pride with dances, bon fires and alumni banquets.

By observing the photos of homecoming decorations from the late 1920s until they were cancelled in 1932, notice their elaborateness. After the cancellation period, when the Greek houses were again allowed, and in fact, encouraged to participated in homecoming decorations again in 1936, it was neither a competition nor were the decorations ornate and complex. Finally, in the late 1930s, decorations began to return to their elaborate selves.

Click on the thumbnails to view examples of the house decorations through the decade.

Bibliography

1951 Staff Writer. "Unknown." Daily Nebraskan.October 29, 1951.

1932 Staff Writer. "Homcoming Decorations Suspended." Daily Nebraskan.October 9, 1932.

1933 Staff Writer. "Decorations for Homecoming to be Discontinued." Daily Nebraskan.October 10, 1933.

1934 Staff Writer. "Fraternity Council Vetoes Decorations." Daily Nebraskan.October 17, 1934.

1929 Staff Writer. "Decorated Houses Will Greet Grads." Daily Nebraskan.October 20, 1929.

1939 Staff Writer. "Homecoming entries due today by 5." Daily Nebraskan.October 25, 1939.

1929 Staff Writer. "Zeta Tau Alphas, Alpha Thets Win." Daily Nebraskan.Novemeber 3, 1929

1931 Staff Writer. "Wolf Announces Welcoming Plans for Homecoming." Daily Nebraskan.October 11, 1931.

1934 Staff Writer. "Houses to Again Use Homecoming Day Decorations." Daily Nebraskan.Novemeber 21, 1934.

1936 Staff Writer. "Mizzou Pep Fest to Feature Trek Thru Greek Row." Daily Nebraskan.October 29, 1936.

1936 Staff Writer. "25 Greek Houses File Entries For Displays, Oct.31." Daily Nebraskan.October 28, 1936.

1937 Staff Writer. "House Decoration Entries Reach 18; Filing Ends Nov. 4." Daily Nebraskan.October 31, 1937.

1938 Staff Writer. "Tonight, Display Contest Opens Gala Weekend." Daily Nebraskan.October 28, 1938.

1939 Staff Writer. "Displays." Daily Nebraskan.October 26, 1939.

1930 Cornhusker Staff Writer. "Untitled." The Cornhusker Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1930.

1931 Cornhusker Staff. "Untitled." The CornhuskerLincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1931.

1934 Cornhusker Staff. "Untitled." The Cornhusker Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1934.

1935 Cornhusker Staff. "Untitled." The Cornhusker Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1935.

1936 Cornhusker Staff. "Untitled." The Cornhusker Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1936.

1937 Cornhusker Staff. "Untitled." The Cornhusker Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1937.

1938 Cornhusker Staff. "Untitled." The Cornhusker Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1938.

1939 Cornhusker Staff. "Untitled." The Cornhusker Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1939.

1940 Cornhusker Staff. "Untitled." The Cornhusker Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska,1940.

Sawyer, R. McLaran.Centennial History of the University of Nebraska (Volume 2). Lincoln, Nebraska: Centennial Press, 1973.