UT looked and operated very differently in 1934. The university was new and getting on its feet. As UT begins its Homecoming celebration for the 79th time, I thought it’d be interesting to take a look back in the archives and see how the university used to celebrate Homecoming.
Tampa Junior College became the University of Tampa in 1933 and in November of that year, a 50-word announcement was made in The Minaret that declared Nov. 15 Homecoming day. It said that a “program and supper” would be held, and seniors would be recognized for winning some kind of book contest. No other mention of Homecoming was made that year.
The Spartans football team played their first Homecoming game against the Miami Hurricanes in 1934 in DeLand. They lost citing the loss of 4-star players who, at the last minute, were deemed ineligible to play.
In 1935, President Spaulding declared Friday, Nov. 15 the school’s first Homecoming celebration. There was a car parade led by the band through Tampa streets that the entire student body was encouraged to participate in.
The Homecoming football game was held that night against The Hatters from Stetson University, but UT lost 9-7. After the game, a dance was held in the ballroom.
The first recorded homecoming court was in 1950 when Jo Ann Heinsen won Homecoming Queen.
We don’t have a Homecoming football game to cheer on anymore, but traditions like the parade and nomination of Homecoming court carry on the traditions.
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