By Hannah Gill
“Red Reign” flooded campus last week, not dampening the Cardinal spirit for University of Louisville’s 2007 Homecoming Week. Pulling out their rain boots and coats, student organizations and dedicated Cardinal fans made both the traditional and new events of Homecoming Week a great success.
Kicking off the week was the annual Foam Party in the Red Barn. Despite the threat of impending storms and hourly tornado sirens, this annual suds fest boasted a great turnout. “We were glad the tornado didn’t hurt attendance. A total of 300 [students] were in and out during the night,” said Alex Frommeyer, a sophomore engineering student that helped work the event.
Jane Kim, a junior biology major, was glad to see the Foam Party go on as planned. “My favorite [Homecoming] event would be the foam party. Although it’s messy, it’s a lot of fun, and it brings a lot of people together.”
Restaurants in the Student Activities Center took a hit later in the week during the “Where Red to Be Fed” cookout at the Red Barn, held Mon., Oct. 22. Dozens of red and black clad students came out for the free food and the rallying spirit of the marching band, Coach Kragthorpe, and the football players.
Pre-game homecoming activities reached their peak mid-week at the Block Party at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. This annual event featured several carnival rides, including a Ferris wheel and a pirate ship. Live music featured local act the Tenia Sanders Band and Kentucky natives, The October.
The free funnel cakes drew plenty of students out in the chilly weather, but the Block Party wasn’t near the caliber of years past. However, some students, like junior biology major Sushma Chennubhotla, were just glad to see the events go on as planned. “We’ve had really bad weather, but regardless, everyone is out here,” she said.
Among the more unique events planned this year was the Homecoming Comedy Show, hosted by comedians Vargus Mason and Alexandra McHale.
A U of L version of the Kentucky Derby Festival Great Bed Races were also scheduled to happen on Greek Row, but were cancelled due to the inclement weather. Perhaps students can catch those beds-on-wheels next year.
Closing out the week was the U of L Alumni Association Homecoming Balloon Glow at Churchill Downs, featuring an evening show of approximately 15 hot air balloons.
Most students expressed a general satisfaction with this year’s events. Scott Ruhlig, a freshman sports administration major, said of Homecoming week, “There’s a lot of stuff going on around campus, and it does a good job of building school spirit.”
Jonathon Cecil, a senior Homecoming court candidate, was very impressed with the Cardinal spirit around campus. “I wish school spirit was like this all year long. When I walk around campus and see all the buildings decorated and the windows painted up, it makes me feel like everyone on campus really cares about our athletics and is united in support of our school spirit,” he said.
Fulfilling the Homecoming prophecy, the storm certainly came last week, both in the rain and in Cardinal spirit.
