Homecoming returns this year at the University of Tampa, starting Wednesday, Oct. 19 and running through the following Saturday, Oct. 22.
Beginning at 8 p.m. in the Vaughn courtyard (or the Vaughn lobby, in the case of rain), the festivities begin with a toga contest. Members from student organizations will be donning their most gorgeous and glam ancient Greek get-up, in hopes of impressing a panel of student judges.
Individuals that are not a part of an organization can also participate by filling out a participation form, which can be picked up in the Student Productions Office. These forms are due Friday, Oct. 14 from everyone, including all student organizations, in order to be a part of the events for the week. Elyse Fulton, a member of the Homecoming Committee who has been helping to plan the kick off since February, remembers that last year’s toga contest was a fun night for students.
Along with the contest, there will be even more fun around the courtyard with a photo booth, henna artist and a performance by DJ Dayve. DJ Dayve is David Wistocki, a 19-year-old senior. He went to high school in Naples, Fla. and has been a DJ for six years.
Excited to be the event’s DJ for the third year in a row, he said, “Homecoming at UT is always an amazing experience for me to live out.”
Prizes throughout the night, include free t-shirt giveaways and food offers from Pita Pit, Wendy’s, Five Guys and Chipotle.
Continuing with the festivities through the week, Thursday, Oct. 20 brings the annual Casino Night.
The Florida Casino Company will be taking over the Vaughn Lobby by donating everything from custom Las Vegas grade equipment to professional dealers. Casino night is also a chance to win up to $2000 in prizes and DJ Dayve will be returning for a second night.
On the 21st, the spirit will continue at Walker Hall at 5:30 pm, students can gather to cheer on floats put together by student organizations. One of the floats will carry the Homecoming Court. DJ Dayve will MC the event, from the Plant Hall Veranda with alumni in attendance.
“In the years past, UT tends to fall short on participants for the parade so this year I’m looking forward to announcing the best UT has to offer and providing an engaging, lively environment for everyone to join in on,” DJ Dayve said.
Immediately following, students can move over to Stadium Center for a tailgate. Set up on the intramural field will be corn hole, face painting and tables for Athletic Marketing, Team Chaos, Watch Your B.A.C and the alumni office. Sodexo will be catering Bar-B-Que for the students. Headlining the event is an acoustic cover band, made up of UT alumni, called Northern Country Boys.
Friday is set to go out with a bang, as the UT women’s volleyball team will go up against Barry University in the Martinez Gym at 7 pm. After the game, Homecoming royalty will be crowned with flowers and sashes, by last year’s king and queen, Elbin Keeppanasseril and Daniella Fusari. Homecoming Court is comprised of Kelsey Thomas, Heather Park, Ashley CK Kearny, Amber Molidor, Jason Hepperly, Darren Anderson, O’mard Alexander and Mike Rafter.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, an alumni event will be held from 11 am to 2 pm, in the Sykes building. Select students from student organizations along with alumni will be attending. There will be alcoholic drinks, so wristbands will be given to those over 21 and “X”’s will be marked on the hands of those underage.
The two final events of the week will also take place on the 22nd. Students can watch The Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Buffalo Sabres, where The St. Pete Times Forum has set aside an entire UT section. Students can pick up vouchers for tickets to the game in Vaughn lobby, until Thursday, Oct. 13 at 4 pm.
These vouchers will be exchanged for tickets on the night of the game. A bus will leave campus at 5:45 pm for students attending the game. It will also have a UT inspired half-time show, as the Homecoming King and Queen ride across the ice on the Zamboni. Students are encouraged to wear black and red to show their school spirit.
Homecoming week will wrap up with an open concert directly after the game in front of the forum. A shuttle will be available from 5 pm to 12:30 am for students that didn’t attend the game but wish to see the concert. Headlining this concert will be The Graham Colton Band. American singer-songwriter Graham Colton started writing music straight out of high school and created the band just a few years later. Since then, The Graham Colton Band has preformed with John Mayer, Maroon 5, Kelly Clarkson and Dave Matthews Band. They will be playing original songs including “Pacific Coast Eyes” and “Our Story.”
Students can get wristbands, to enter the UT section of the concert, at the Vaughn lobby beginning at 7 pm and will be driven over to the forum. This is the first year UT will be having a fall concert and the committee hopes to make it an annual event. While there are festivities new to the Homecoming calendar this year, the returning favorites keep school spirit and tradition alive.
“I think it’s really exciting to start new traditions on campus for homecoming week.” Fulton said.
Junior Chantell Rivera feels that certain events pump up the students for the rest of the week.
“At Midnight Madness you can feel the school spirit. [Students] are pumped about what’s going on and you get to see the new basketball players.”
Students are encouraged to attend as many events throughout the week as possible to unite the student body and keep school spirit alive throughout the year.
Becca Powell can be reached at b.powell40@gmail.com.
Chelsea Daubar can be reached at chelsea.daubar@spartans.ut.edu.