8
DAILY NEBRASKAN
Friday, October 25, 1940
sEdotjs steady grivllh) ffoir 2Q years
By Don Bower.
On Not. 16, 1912, 500 alums invaded Lincoln enmasse to atart the
tradition of "homecoming." Twenty-eight years later the alums are
still reserving one week end during the football season to return to
their alma mater.
The first homecoming was instigated by George W. Kline, alumni
secretary in 1912, and, as part of the program, an informal banquet
was held after the Kansas-Nebraska football game. The banquet was
informal because "the speakers were limited to ten minutes."
Nebraska won its first homecoming game against the Jayhawk.s,
12-3. after trailing 3-0 until the last 4 minutes of play. The banquet
and the football game were the sole constituents of the weekend, for
house decorations did not appear until 1923.
Two years after the first "coming home" the Awgwan paid tribute to
the event by issuing a special homecoming issue. A new tradition at
the '14 homecoming was dancing at the Amory. All students gathered
in the Armory for an all-university mixer, at which "every couple was
induced to do their best to break conventionalities."
Firework, band concert.
Fireworks and a band concert were instituted in the '15 all-university
homecoming mixer. At the dance in the Armory 2,000 students
and alums were present, drinking 200 gallons of cider. Being a week
before Hallowe'en, the Armory was decorated with pumpkins and corn
stalks. Excitement reigned supreme in 1916, because the sophomoce presi
dent, also chairman of the food committee for homecoming, was kid
napped and could not be found. However, new arrangements were
made and food was served, per usual, in the Armory. The DAILY
stated that "the attempt will again be made to have as many girls as
possible come without dates."
Nebraska lost its first homecoming game in 1916, with Kansas
State on the high end of a 7-3 score. Prof. E. M. Fling, cheered up the
alums by declaring that "Kansas deserved to win at least once every
10 years."
University Players added to the celebration in 1918 by presenting
a dramatization of Browning's "Pied Piper of Hamlin." Saturday aft
ernoon Olympics were held between the frosh and sophomores. The
Olympics were between-halves entertainment, Nebraska played Mis
souri, and defeated the Tigers 52-0. Alumni were guests at their re
spective frats and sororities after the game.
Defeat KU.
The Cornhuskers greeted the alumni m 1919 by defeating Kansas
IT 19-7. In the evening, there was a large program in the Armory,
including dancing specialties, songs by the university male and girl
quartets. Herbert Yenne "achieved success in a Hawaiian hula-hula
dance."
Saturday morning, Oct 16, 1920, the freshman and sophomores
entertained the alums with their annual Olympics. A luncheon was
held at Ellen Smith hall from 12-2 in the form of an alumni rally. Dis
appointment prevailed at the football game, for UN lost to Notre Dame
(led by George Gipp) 16-7.
The DAILY NEBRASKAN issued its first special homecoming
edition in 192L describing Nebraska's victory over Kansas, and the be
tween halves demonstration. - According to the DAILY of Nov. 12,
192 L cardboard Jayhawk was carried onto the field, only to be sliced
in two by a Cornhusker wielding an axe, put in a coffin and carried
off the field to the "Funeral March."
A forerunner to the present-day card section was started in the
homecoming celebration of 1922. Each woman attending the football
game was given a scarlet handkerchief, and each man a white mega
phone. At a signal from the cheedlader, hankies and megaphones were
waved to give a scarlet and cream effect
Decorations in 1923.
Perhaps the most colorful tradition of homecoming, decorations on
fraternity and sorority houses, was started In 1923. It was on this
homecoming, also, that the Memorial Stadium was dedicated.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon was awarded first prize for its decoration,
consisting of goal posts in the front yard wrapped in the colors of Kan
sas and Nebraska. Streamers were stretched from the posts to the
balcony of the house. A Kansas and Nebraska football player flanked
each side of the porch and a sign with "Howdy, Boy," greeted every
one who went on the porch.
Gamma Phi Beta captured sorority honors in the second year of
homecoming decorations. The Gamma Phi's had two large Imitations
of tubes of Colgate toothpaste (Nebraska was playing Colgate) and a
sign, -Squeeze Colgate."
The first prize for fraternities went to Sigma Phi Epsilon. who
had a large Humiliated N about 12 feet high on the top of their bouse.
Over the porch was a huge heart with "Welcome" inside, with stream
ers from the center to the edge of the heart and from the top of the
house to the porch roof. On each side of the porch was an illuminated
N, with "Homecoming" in the center.
tig Eps win again.
In 1925, Sigma Phi Epsilon again won the fraternity contest for
decorations with a large figure of a college student dressed in white
duck trousers end a red sweater, with outstretched hands holding il
luminated letters, N and K, and a large red illuminated "Welcome"
sign.
Alpha Delta Theta received sorority honors. "Help us pluck the
Jayhawk feathers" was the theme. A fuzzy Jayhawk was suspended
by his middle with that sign. Another sign above it said "Welcome
Grads." On either side were large N letters with long streamers ex
tending from top to ground.
In 1926 Sigma Phi Epsilon again won the crown, and Alpha Delta
won sorority honors for the second time. Alpha Delta Theta presented
a large wildcat covering the entire front of the house.
The word "Welcum" spelled in large letters on blinds In each win
dow across the front of the house and at the door a dizzy Jayhawk be
low a caption "Too Much Corn," won the cup for Gamma Phi Beta in
1927 homecoming decorations. For the fourth consecutive year Sigma
Phi Epsilon was the victor in fraternity groups. They portrayed a
cornfield in their front yard, with two tall figures holding a Sigma Phi
Epsilon memory book and above that the letters "1927."
Homecoming was marked in 1928 by the card section of 750 stu
dents depicting the Cornhusker twisting the Tiger's tail. SAE won the
fraternity decoration cup and Kappa Delta the sorority cup.
Rowboat crew.
A crew of Kansas football men in a Kansas rowboat attempting to
row over the "Bible" wave (Dana X. Bible, coach) won first place for
Alpha Theta Chi in 1929 decorations. A Cornhusker player standing
on a pedestal resembling the Statue of Liberty and a light house bear
ing the inscription, "U of N" was also part of the display. Zeta Tau
Alpha was the sorority winner. Their display consisted of a Corn
husker clipping a Jayhawk's wings enclosed by Cornstalks and the
state line fence. "Glad 2 C U" was painted in red on a white banner
to complete the decoration.
In 1930 Delta Tau Delta was the winning fraternity. It carried
out the idea of a Cornhusker shooting footballs at a tiger from a can
non shaped like an ear of corn. Footballs each carried the name of
some factor necessary in winning: straight football, good sportsman
ship, etc.
Kappa Delta won with its display of a large N with the K D sym
bol set in it Below was a large football on the top of which sat a
Cornhusker holding a ball. Below the football was a tiger in the act
of springing at the Cornhusker. At one side were several small footballs
each bearing the score of a former Missouri game.
Cornhuskers outweigh Jayhawk.
In 1931. Sterna Alpha Epsilon won fraternity honors. A Corn
husker balancing in a scale with the Jayhawk on the other side. The
Cornhusker was outweighing his opponent Across the top was "How
dy Grads and Kansas Too" and at the base, "SAE welcomes you."
Delta Gamma, winning sorority, pictured a gun spraying Nebraska
players over a Jayhawk with a sign saying, "Quick Dana, the Flit"
Not until 1934 did the decorations reappear. The depression was
the reason. In '34 there was no judging, but a DAILY commentary
stated that the Sigma Chi "Cornhusker cemetery" was the best. It
had a specter of death in appropriate garb shown at home among the
tombstones marking Cornhusker opponents killed in action with the
Scarlet-jerseyed warriors. In the foreground stood a coffin and a
newly-prepared grave, while to one side of the other burial plots wa
a wreath-bedecked slab for the Minnesota and Pittsburgh game bear
inng the inscription, -Death Takes a Holiday."
SAE won the decorations honor in 1935. A huge spider web with
Nebraska taking the form of a spider and the Jayhawker becoming
completely enmeshed was symbolized.
SAE's win again.
A puzzled tiger gazing angrily at a pig, representing a football,
behind the goal posts, was the essence of SAC winning display of
'36. At one side Sam Francis held a rope that was dropped over the
goal with a noose ready to ensnare the Missouri beast The tiger, thru
benefit of sound effects, was growling and snarling. A Missouri grid
star, rather droopy In appearance, was broadcasting over at the Theta
house. But Colonel Bible passing as Major Bowes, thought the Tiger
was hitting too many sour notes and gave him the gong. This dis
play won for the Thetas.
In '37, the Alpha Phi's depicted a tall and luscious "Petty" girt
in the arms of a Husker football played while a dejected Jayhawk
player watched wistfully and said, "I wonder if Biff Jones gives a cor
respondence course in football."
The Kappa Sig's had a beaverboard replica of Biff J one aiming
a cannon loaded with Huskers at a Jayhawk.
Delta Gamma spelled out "Victory" in glittering ice in 1938.
Sigma Nu's had a 7-foot Tarzan swing to and fro, dangling a tiger and
emitting fierce yells until frosh lungs gave out
Last year. Delta Gamma again won with a spotlighted theater
marquee advertising The Jones Family." SAE's toe-tapping football
player waiting outside a maternity ward for the story to bring victory
won first In the fraternity division.
Symphony
series starts
Matinee MVsical club
sponsors three concerts
The Omaha Little Symphony
opens a three-concert season Nov.
25, the Matinee Musical Club,
sponsor of the programs, an
nounced this week. Organized in
response to the demand of
Omaha's music lovers for sym
phonic music, the Little Symphony
made its debut last April.
The orchestra, composed of 30
members selected from outstand
ing musical talent of Omaha, is
directed by Richard E. Duncan,
who has appeared as violinist and
conductor on CBS and NBC net
works; has played, conducted and
written arrangements for General
Motors hour and has filled concert
and guest conductor engagements.
Percy Grainger, pianist and composer-conductor,
will appear with
the orchestra Nov. 25, and Vir
ginia Haskins, young and charm
ing coloratura soprano, will appear
with it Jan. 27.
The three concerts this winter
will be given on Nov. 25, Jan. 27
and March 31 in Joslyn Memorial
Auditorium in Omaha. Tickets for
the entire season are $1.50.
University of Minnesota ranks
17th among 218 colleges and uni
versities in number of graduates
in foreign service.
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FOR YOUR GREAT WELCOME!
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8
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EXTRA!
Newl Ilarch of Time!
"BEITsUN S 2.AJF"
Ag offers square dancing
For student desiring to prac
tice square dancing, one of the
I gym in the ag college activities
' building will be reserved on Mon-
12:15 to 1:15 p. m. Tryout for
square dance demonstration groups
will be held in about two week.
Anyone trying out for a place in
one of these group should know
the waltz, the two-step and a num
ber of sq-jare dance figures.
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