Home Coming

2 | Homecoming 2012

The Standard

Homecoming 2012 | 3

the-standard.org

Contents 4 Join the fun!

Homecoming committee chair invites you to become part of the tradition

By Megan Stonechiper

11 Greek spirit Missouri State’s Fraternity and Sorority Life provides an essential drive to Homecoming

By Kris Collins

8 King and queen Meet the five men and women that make up 2012’s Homecoming court

12 Homecoming history The tradition has changed drastically since it began in 1921 By Dayle Duggins

10 What’s going on this week? Missouri State’s hosting a variety of events this week to get ready for Saturday’s game

14 Game face Linebacker Ryan Callendar gets ready for his last Homecoming in uniform

By Matt Aten

Standard staff Advertising staff Wil Brawley sales Trevor Collins sales Dayle Duggins sales Brent Rinehart graphic design Adam Simpson graphic design Editorial staff Steph Anderson photo editor Matt Aten sports writer Kelsey Berry life editor Kris Collins reporter

Homecoming 2012

This is a publication of Missouri State University’s studentproduced newspaper, The Katie DeJarnette copy editor Standard. The university has not Dayle Duggins news editor approved and is not responsible Megan Gates editor-in-chief Lindsey Howard managing editor for its content, which is Jon Poorman sports editor produced and edited by The Jon Sims copy editor Standard staff.

Gage Turner copy editor

Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager

Cover photo by Steph Anderson • Cover design by Adam Simpson

The Standard 901 S. National Ave. Springfield, MO 65807 417-836-5272 Standard@MissouriState.edu the-standard.org

4 | Homecoming 2012

Become part of The Standard

Hello students!

On behalf of the Homecoming Committee I wanted to share some information with students about experiencing “Maroon, White and You” Homecoming 2012.

Getting involved with Homecoming activities at Missouri State University is an important part of the college experience. It is a week filled with school spirit to celebrate athletics, student organization programs, and community events.

It is a time to be proud of the university and broaden one’s involvement with this campus.

Many campus entities, including Alumni Services, Athletics, the Missouri State Bookstore, Pride Band and the Office of Student Engagement have worked to put together a week full of great opportunities for students.

Megan Stonecipher Homecoming Committee Chair

Every student has an opportunity to be part of the MSU Homecoming tradition, whether it be participating with an organization in events such as Decorate Downtown, Yell Like Hell, Chalk ‘N Rock, Can We Build It or by cheering on the Bears during the football game.

If students are not competing in the Homecoming week student competition events, they are encouraged to come as spectators and support their peers. There are also non-competitive events open for all students to participate, such as the Royalty Voting for Homecoming King

MSU’s tradition! the-standard.org

Photo Courtesy of Missouri State Special Collections

Sigma Tau Gamma participates in the Homecoming Parade of 1964.

and Queen open all week, Mocktails Drink Competition on Tuesday, Chili Cook-Off on Wednesday, the Student Activities Council Homecoming Dance on Thursday, the annual Homecoming Parade on Saturday morning and the Bearfest Village Tailgate before kick-off on Saturday afternoon. There is at least one event every day for students from Sunday, Oct. 21 to Saturday, Oct. 27.

There are many ways to stay connected during Homecoming week by checking the university master calendar, Facebook and the new app, which is available for both iPhone and Android devices. The app may be found by searching “Missouri State Homecoming” from the university website.

It is my hope that every student finds a way to get involved with Homecoming in some form this year and feels the pride that will take over our campus community during the week.

Homecoming 2012 | 5

6 | Homecoming 2012

The Standard

the-standard.org

Homecoming 2012 | 7

8 | Homecoming 2012

The Standard

Trevor Collins

“For a long time, I only viewed homecoming king as a popularity contest. But then I realized that it’s not about the votes but the opportunity that you have to be a positive role model for the entire student body. As king, I would hope to set that example and serve the students as a resource and as a friend.”

Chris Westrich

“I feel that I should be Missouri State’s homecoming king because of how I have grown in my two-plus years here. I have joined some great organizations and even helped start some, such as the Bears for the Wounded Warrior Project. This university has helped me become a better person and through my academic classes, I feel set me up for a great life.”

Jared Horman

“I think I would be a great homecoming king because I love Missouri State and MSU and organizations have been very influential in shaping me as a person and as a leader.”

Homecoming 2012 | 9

the-standard.org

This year, there are five men and women vying for the title of Missouri State homecoming king and queen, and the opportunity to cheer on the Maroon and Dorothy Frederick Chelsea Foreman Lindsey Pearson White as Bear royalty. The Standard asked all of them why they felt they should win “Next year, I will be traveling to 11 different countries with a program called the World Race. In these countries, we will be addressing many issues. One of the main concerns is human trafficking. Throughout the year, I will be actively living the three pillars of the university and I would love to represent the university as the 2012 homecoming queen.”

“I think I represent the diverse population of students and organizations on campus well.

I am also very passionate about community engagement, and that is another huge aspect of what makes MSU special.”

“I think I should be Missouri State’s homecoming queen because I would love the opportunity to represent the values of the university in our community. I would encourage campus involvement, high academic standards and inclusion of all students to promote taking advantage of the full college experience MSU has to offer.”

Introducing the king and queen Garrett Mueller

“My involvement on campus, my leadership and my involvement in the community make me an excellent candidate for king. I feel I should be king because of this and my desire to be a role model at MSU and in the community.”

David Kramer

“I believe I represent the school well both on and off campus. Also, because I am the third member of my family to attend MSU, so I feel I have strong roots in the university.”

the title and here are their answers.

For more information on each candidate, check out their profiles on http://the-standard.org and cast your vote for king and queen at http://elections.missouristate.edu by Friday, Oct. 26.

Christa Perry

“I believe I would make a great Missouri State homecoming queen because I have always been extremely involved on this campus. I have held many leadership positions and also worked to be a mentor to younger students.”

Lexi Beck

“I think I would be a great homecoming queen because I truly love Missouri State and I have had an amazing experience as a student here. I am here to make friends and memories and show everyone how fun Homecoming can be!”

10 | Homecoming 2012

The Standard

Homecoming calendar

Tuesday, Oct. 23

• All day king and queen elections available online through Friday at 5 p.m.

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mocktails at PSU North Patio; rain location: PSU 2nd floor • 7 p.m. Rockstar MSU at Hammons Student Center

Wednesday, Oct. 24

• 7-10 p.m. Fire in the Yard: Chili Cook-Off at PSU North Patio; rain location: PSU 2nd floor • 8:30-11 p.m. Bonfire and concert at Blair-Shannon Circle Drive and Bear Paw

File photo/THE STANDARD

A sorority competes in the 2010 Yell like Hell event.

Thursday, Oct. 25

• 4 p.m. Dawn Patrol Meeting at PSU 315 ABC • 6 p.m. Pep Rally/Yell like Hell at Hammons Student Center • 9 p.m.-midnight Homecoming Dance at PSU Food Court

Friday, Oct. 26

• 2 p.m. Cardboard Canoe Race at Foster Recreation Center • 5 p.m. king and queen elections end

Saturday, Oct. 27

• 9 a.m. Homecoming Parade at John Q. Hammons Parkway • 11 a.m. Bear Fest Village Tailgate Party at Parking Lots 22 and 24 • 1 p.m. Football Game vs. Western Illinois University at Plaster Sports Complex

Greek-life spirit

Homecoming 2012 | 11

the-standard.org

MSU’s Fraternity and Sorority Life does its part to make Homecoming matter.

By Kris Collins The Standard

Along with the changing leaves and cool air of fall comes football season in full swing. Nearly every college football team has games during that season that a fan could deem unimportant, crucial or a rivalry, but there is only one game per year that makes beer and hotdogs a socially acceptable breakfast: Homecoming.

The week before the big game is packed with activities for students, faculty and community to support the university and football team, and show they bleed maroon.

One group of students that stands out every year by continuously showing support and participating in the week’s events are Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations.

Andrea Weber, assistant director of student engagement for Fraternity and Sorority Life, said Fraternity and Sorority Life plays a role no different from any other student organization during Homecoming.

Despite that fact, Inter-Fraternity Council President and Sigma Phi Epsilon member Kyle Syers notes the heavy participation from Fraternity and Sorority Life.

“Fraternities and sororities love being able to come together,” Syers said, noting the enjoyment from unity through shared experiences. Homecoming is a fall semester event that allows the organizations to do just that.

Brittany Ankeny, Alpha Sigma Alpha member and Panhellenic Association president, noted another appealing component to Homecoming week is the involvement it

allows organization to have with the university and community.

“Homecoming is an opportunity for our community to display how proud we are that our organizations are on the Missouri State campus,” Ankeny said.

Among some of the more popular events throughout the week are the “Rockstar: MSU” event held at Hammons Student Center and the Pep Rally/Yell like Hell event held at the same venue.

Homecoming allows fraternities and sororities to proudly show their school spirit, community and campus involvement and it’s a popular event for alumni to come back to visit his or her alma mater and reconnect with the organizations.

Participation lies, without intentional design, mainly with Fraternity and Sorority

Life. Syers noted that many student leaders on campus are involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life and are highly involved by nature, but said he would like to see more student organizations involved.

“I’ve seen other campuses and been to their Homecoming and they have homecoming kings and queens running from any student organization,” Syers said. “They actually do pretty well compared to a lot of the Greek organizations.”

Syers cited Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Alliance; multicultural organizations; and students-athletes as groups he would like to see nominate homecoming king and queen candidates in the future.

“They are a huge portion of our community and there’s no reason why one of them could not run for homecoming,” Syers said.

MSU’s ho

12 | Homecoming 2012

The Standard

While debate rages on between the Baylor University about where the fest established its homecoming celebrati

T

ara Benson, assistant director of student engagement for programming, said Homecoming at MSU has grown throughout the years and activities have only gotten bigger and better.

“The purpose of Homecoming at Missouri State is setting aside a time to celebrate football and highlight school spirit and pride,’” Benson said.

Ninety-one years ago, Homecoming modestly consisted of a football game, a play by the theater department and the reuniting of alumni. Times were simple, as was the celebration.

Now, an entire week is dedicated to the tradition. A number of events flood Homecoming week, including a pep rally, bonfire, class reunions, a 5K walk/run, parade and much more. Themes are now created for the weeklong celebration. Student organizations compete to be the most spirited and tents line BearFest Village across from Plaster Stadium, tailgating in anticipation for the upcoming game.

Tradition has most certainly been upheld throughout MSU’s years in regards to Homecoming, resulting in a unique evolution of the spirit-filled celebration.

“Daring to Excel: The First 100 Years of Southwest Missouri State University” by Donald L. Landon, professor emeritus and former head of the sociology department at MSU has helped document the 91-year transformation of Missouri State University’s Homecoming.

1921 — Homecoming celebration established 1934 — Homecoming parade resumes after a 10-year hiatus 1940 — Responsibilites of student council expanded to help plan Homecoming and MSU’s first homecoming queen, Polyanna Coble, selected 1941 — STC (Southwest Missouri Teachers College) Homecoming game against KirksvillePaul Shelton charged out of the stands after the Bears “had lost their 13-point lead and nobody was workCoble

ing the crowd. So, he charged out of the stands and appointed himself cheerleader.”

1943 — Homecoming was dropped for the year to conserve money. Instead, students enjoyed a huge bonfire Oct. 29 several former students, home on furlough, joined the alternative celebration.

1946 — The Southwest Standard wrote about problems with alcohol at the Homecoming dance, where alumni and students were 1947 parade drinking: “Regardless of how shocking the statement may seem to some persons, there is a minority on our campus who would like to have drinking sanctioned at social functions.”

1951 — Students paid $1.50 out of their $26.50 semester fees 1950 parade for Homecoming, parents’ day, farm week, agricultural contests, student publications and student guidance 1954 — This year’s Homecoming provided the Bears’ first televised football game against Southeast Missouri State. The Bears lost the match-up 27-0.

1955 — A dedication to the memory of students who lost their lives in World War II and the Korean Conflict was integrated into the Homecoming events on Nov. 4. The Rev. Shrum Burton read the names of 90 former students whose pictures and brief histories could be found in the Memorial Library.

1968 — John Denver 1971 parade appeared at Homecoming.

1971 — Sheila Bowie was selected as homecoming queen. Bowie was the first black woman to be crowned with the honor.

1984 — Terry Cummings saves the day in

mecoming the-standard.org

University of Missouri-Columbia and ivities actually began, Missouri State on in 1921 and continues now

the nick of time by executing a twopoint conversion to beat Eastern Illinois, 29-28.

If you haven’t taken part in the 1991 — events on campus so far, you can still John Goodbe part of the tradition by checking man was out these resources for Homecoming: given an honGoodman in 1991 orary football Website jersey during the http://www.missouristate.edu/studenHomecoming tengagement/homecoming/default.ht game. Goodman m transferred to SMS after playing football at a junior college in St. Louis, but he never got to Facebook play for the Bears. www.facebook.com/MSUHomecom2002 — 300 fans take the field at halftime ing to cover Plaster Field end to end with an American Flag as part of the 50th anniversary Twitter of the U.S. Army Reserve Officer Corps at @MoStateHC2012 Southwest Missouri State 2012 — “Maroon, White & You!” declared Homecoming’s theme.

For more information about Missouri Compiled by Dayle Duggins State’s Homecoming and all of its events, All photos courtesy of Missouri State Spevisit http://alumni.missouristate.edu/Homecial Collections coming.htm.

How can I get involved?

Homecoming 2012 | 13

14 | Homecoming 2012

The Standard

Getting his game face on

Steph Anderson/THE STANDARD

Missouri State linebacker Ryan Callender stretches before a game at Plaster Sports Complex during the fall 2012 football season. Callendar is co-captain for the team and will play in his fourth Homecoming game this weekend.

W

By Matt Aten The Standard

hat better time to kickstart your 2-6 season than with alumni and explayers packing Plaster Sports Complex? Linebacker Ryan Callender says that’s exactly the team’s mindset going into Homecoming weekend.

“It’s just as big as any other game.“ Callender said. “We still want to win and we’re trying to establish a culture of winning around here, so what better way to get that started than Homecoming? It’s a great oppor-

tunity to get the job done.”

Callender will be playing in his fourth Homecoming game at Missouri State, and while the Bears’ record isn’t anything to brag about, the players feel that this is the time to thank the fans that have shown support through thick and thin.

“The Homecoming game is pretty much a chance to give back to the crowd that’s been supporting us the whole time,” Callender said. “Coming out, regardless of the situation and people coming back, ex-players; it’s always fun to see all those guys and just the whole community coming out.”

the-standard.org

Homecoming gives Callender and other players to show their appreciation to the fans that have filled Plaster Sports Complex this season; it also gives them a chance to catch up with family they might not see all semester.

“You always look forward to your parents • The Bears have won coming into town; my whole family will be three of their last five here so the atmosphere surrounding it is defiHomecoming games and nitely bigger, but we try to just take it a game at a time.” are 23-22 in Homecoming While that might all add up to a lot of presgames since 1967. sure, Callender insists that the key is to not let it get out of control. This game might be the biggest contest of the season, but Callender • The Bears are going for and his teammates are preparing for it just like their third-consecutive win. any other.

“Our preparation is the same before every The team has not won game as a team,“ Callender said. “It starts with three games in a row since going to chapel, then team meeting, and then we eat. For me, personally, I try to listen to September of 2004. some music, get stretched out, and then I hit the field and do some linebacker drills. Then, • The all-time series I head back in and get it going with the guys, blast some music in the locker room, just getbetween MSU and ting ready to play.”

Western Illinois is tied at Preparation is the key to success in all sports, but even the most well-prepared play15-15-1. The Bears beat ers have their superstition and Ryan Callender the WIU last year, 31-17. is no different.

“I kind of have a superstition on which way I come down the tunnel, which is kind of crazy. If I come down the left side I feel like I Dakota, I came down the other side.”

Bears fans can count on Ryan Callender have great practices, but we’ve been losing that way. Last week, when we beat South walking down the right side of the tunnel.

Football Facts

Homecoming 2012 | 15

16 | Homecoming 2012

The Standard