Homecoming 2009 was more than anyone could have hoped for, especially with the immaculate planning of our very own Programming Board. The talent show had a variety of acts. There was a poker tournament, a concert and Montclair State even won the football game!
At the game on Saturday night, 6,337 people flocked to see the Red Hawks pound William Patterson’s Pioneers. This was the largest recorded attendance for a Montclair State football game since 1988. The fans got to enjoy a 24-17 win for our university. However, the success of the game went beyond the action on the field. Members of the Programming Board were at the event, flinging free tote bags and t-shirts into the crowds.
The MSU student body showed the kind of support for a sports team that hasn’t been seen in decades.
On Friday night, a sold out crowd of 400 packed the Student Center ballrooms. Homecoming was in support of a good cause because all proceeds went to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. The band Four Years Strong highlighted the event.
A raucous group of about 600 students also filled Memorial Auditorium Monday evening to watch as the Homecoming candidates performed daring acts of entertainment for the talent show, hosted by the Programming Board. King and queen contestants were singing, dancing and even reciting monologues to keep the crowd on the edge of its seat.
A Homecoming poker tournament was also held on Thursday at the Student Center Ballrooms. A group of approximately 45 students competed for prizes and the winner received a $100 Visa gift card.
This was the first year the Programming Board organized Homecoming.
All of the events, with the exception of the pep rally and hot dog eating contest, were successfully run by the Board.
This is a vast improvement from previous years, when Homecoming would come and go with little interest from the student body. It’s pretty commendable that the board was able to drum up enthusiam for the events.
Erica Schnatz, director the Board, did an excellent job and helped make Homecoming the success that it was.
Homecoming wasn’t perfect. For example, before Saturday’s game, a beer garden for alumni of the class of 1984 was held on top of the Red Hawk Deck. About 15 former students got together with their families and enjoyed food and of course, beer. This event did not garner the high attendence that was expected, though, as trays of food were left over.
Despite this, Homecoming 2009 was generally a huge success. Many thanks to the Programming Board for putting together a series of events that drew large numbers of students.
It will be exciting to see what the Board has up their sleeves for Homecoming 2010.
- JP & MM
