Right up there on the list of American icons with the 4th of July and cherry pie has got to be college football. And now that fall is here– your school’s team likely recently celebrated or is gearing up for their Homecoming Weekend. Sure, everybody tailgates and has one too many, but we wanted to do a deeper dive into the homecoming traditions that keep alumni coming back to relive their glory days year after year. Here are some of the best ones we’ve seen.

 

Virginia Tech – Running the Game Ball

Can’t have a kickoff without the ball! At Virginia Tech, the game ball has a special rite of passage. Over the course of the week leading up to their homecoming game, the ball to be used at kickoff is raced around campus like a relay baton by Army ROTC students from the Ranger Company. 100 miles in total, the tradition gives students and faculty a chance to touch the game ball as it’s paraded by, building anticipation in the community for the big game. 

 

Penn State –  Guarding the Lion Shrine

Nothing says Homecoming like a spirited rivalry. At Penn State, they’re not messing around. The legend goes that in anticipation of a game against Syracuse University, some rival fans doused the Penn State Nittany Lion statue in orange paint. In an effort to make sure that their beloved mascot wasn’t vandalized ever again, students began guarding the statue before every homecoming. The tradition has become more of an event in recent years with a festival and musical acts, but the roots make for a pretty great story. 

 

Texas State – Soap Box Derby

Calling all Boy Scouts! At Texas State, you can relive your pinewood derby glory days every homecoming with the annual Soap Box Derby. The event dates back to the 60s, where students built their own cars and raced them down a hill on campus. It looks damn fun– just don’t drink and ride!

 

Miami – Boat Burning

Sure, everybody has a bonfire. But at U Miami, it’s a boat. Every year, students and alumni of the U gather at Lake Osceola for their homecoming tradition– and if the boat sinks into the lake before the ceremony ends, it’s said to be a sign that the football team will win the homecoming game! We love a good superstition.

 

Florida – Gator Growl

Sticking in the sunshine state, for the last 100 years, the university of Florida has been putting on arguably the biggest homecoming party in the nation. The student-run pep rally “Gator Growl” has been headlines by some of the biggest names ever: from comedians like Jerry Seinfeld and Robin Williams, to musical acts like Snoop Dogg and Jason Derulo, it’s a can’t miss event if you find yourself in Gainesville this fall. 

 

What’s your school’s big homecoming tradition? Let us know in the comments section, we might have to swing by next season!