Homecoming

Homecoming is an annual tradition in the United States. People, towns, high schools, and colleges come together, usually in late September or early October, to welcome back alumni and former residents. It is built around a central event, such as a banquet and, most often, a game of football, or, on occasion, basketball, ice hockey or soccer. When celebrated by schools, the activities vary widely. However, they usually consist of a football game played on a school's home football field, activities for students and alumni, a parade featuring the school's marching band and sports teams, and the coronation of a Homecoming Queen (and at many schools, a Homecoming King). A dance commonly follows the game or the day following the game. When attached to a football game, Homecoming traditionally occurs on the team's return from the longest road trip of the season. The game itself, whether it be football or another sport, will typically feature the home team playing a considerably weaker opponent. The game is supposed to be an "easy win" and thus weaker schools will sometimes play lower division schools.

History: the tradition of homecoming has its origin in alumni football games held at colleges and universities since the 19th century. Many schools including Baylor, southwestern, illinois, and missouri,have made claims that they've held the first modern homecoming. The NCAA, Trivial Pursuit, Jeopardy!, and references from the American TV drama NCIS give the title to the University of Missouri's 1911 football game during which alumni were encouraged to attend. It was the first annual homecoming centered on a parade and a football game.In 1891, the Missouri Tigers first faced off against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first installment of the Border War, which is also the oldest college football rivalry west of the Mississippi River. The intense rivalry originally took place at neutral sites, usually in Kansas City, Missouri, until a new conference regulation was announced that required intercollegiate football games to be played on collegiate campuses. To renew excitement in the rivalry, ensure adequate attendance at the new location, and celebrate the first meeting of the two teams on the Mizzou campus in Columbia, Missouri, Mizzou Athletic Director Chester Brewer invited all alumni to "come home" for the game in 1911.

Why do we celebrate homecoming?: Many schools celebrate homecoming during football season, but some schools also celebrate during basketball season or even hockey or soccer. Some schools have more than one homecoming each year, taking place during different seasons for different sports. This annual  American high school tradition oftentimes includes a parade, spirit days during the week at school, fun activities, competitions between grade levels and faculty along with spin-off athletic activities, such as powder puff football or volleyball games.

Why is it called the homecoming?: is a time to celebrate the school you’re attending. And, after you’ve graduated, it’s a time to go back (or “come home”) to your town and the campus, see old friends, and reminisce about your school days.

Homecoming usually centers around a football game, but schools have been known to have homecoming basketball, soccer or even hockey games