Homecoming competition spurs school spirit

“Beware of the Birdherd!” was the 2010 Viterbo Homecoming slogan visible around campus last week. 

Feb. 8 through 13 was packed with new activities and events to build the momentum of excitement for the homecoming basketball games on Feb. 13.  Kari Hartogh, Campus Activities coordinator, was instrumental in planning the Homecoming week events along with help from the Homecoming Committee. 

 “This is the first time since 2007 that a weeklong homecoming competition occurred,” Hartogh told Lumen. 

Clubs, residence floors, and groups of friends were invited to sign up as teams for the Homecoming competition.  Teams were given points for attending and competing in the different events throughout the week, including free roller skating at High Rollers or a Wii Tournament. 

The Homecoming Kickoff event was held Feb. 8, where teams earned points through a game of memory about Viterbo, a three-legged race, and a hula hoop competition, Hartogh said. 

The free roller skating at High Rollers was a huge success, Hartogh said, with over 55 students lacing up their skates to glide around the rink. 

Clubs were also awarded points for planning and holding an event throughout the week.  Student Government Association, Student Activities Board, Residence Hall Council, Taking New Tactics, and Touchstone Literary Magazine all helped Campus Activities plan and hold events, Hartogh said. 

VU After Dark also got involved in Homecoming week, sponsoring a Price is Right game where teams could win points and prizes.         

“We felt a friendly competition would spike involvement, plus a $100 cash prize is not a bad motivator,” Hartogh said. Eleven teams signed up for the Homecoming competition.  Two $100 prizes were given to a floor/friend team winner and a club winner in between Saturday’s basketball games.

The Marian-ettes, a team made up of the freshmen girls of Marian Hall 2, won the competition for the friends/floor grouping.  Student Activities Board won the club grouping.    

Stephanie Kane, sophomore math education major and Student Activities Board (SAB) treasurer from Geneseo, Ill., has been working on planning the Homecoming dance since September 2009. “SAB brainstormed the jungle theme for the homecoming dance,” Kane said.   

The Homecoming Dance was held at the La Crosse Center on Feb. 13 from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., where a canopy, trees and leaves welcomed students to a jungle-like evening.  Snacks and a photographer were available at the dance. Ed Powless provided the tunes students danced to as the DJ. 

Homecoming court was announced at the dance based on the majority votes Viterbo students casted during homecoming week.    

Freshmen royalty voted for by peers included Trent Moede and Shannon Knull.  Sophomores Mike Bergemann and Sarah Lieser were named, as well as Meko Green and Laura Bien of the junior class.  Senior King and Queen were Nate Alvin and Jill Baures. 

Hartogh enjoyed watching the hard work of planning pay off as students enjoyed the homecoming activities through the week.  Hartogh loved taking part in homecoming during her college years.

“I wanted to share my excitement and passion for Homecoming with Viterbo,” Hartogh said. “Hopefully, this year of homecoming will start a tradition that will continue for future years.”