Homecoming in name only?

[bac2therac]

Seems like in the past few years, homecoming has almost been deemphasized. Last year there was hardly any tables and they push them in that crowded area where no one would even know where the homecoming stuff is. Its really pretty lame at this point. They used to have them spread out in the fenced in area. I dont know what other schools do for homecoming but it seems like Rutgers homecoming is the equivalent of something you see at a middle school somewhere

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

It will probably evolve into some sort of social justice warrior bullshit one of these days...knowing Rutgers, it would not surprise me...[winking]

 

[LevaosLectures]

It will probably evolve into some sort of social justice warrior bullshit one of these days...knowing Rutgers, it would not surprise me...[winking]

Get help.

 

[RU old timer]

The best Homecomings were when Dr. Bloustein was President. Festivities took place on the President's lawn; he was there greeting the RU community.

 

[G- RUnit]

Used to love the Homecoming buttons. Sometimes it's really the little things. The Homecoming Drawstring Bag of '08 has travelled throughout the country and Europe. Sometimes RU penny wise and pound foolish. OC? Maybe 250 anniversary hats go over well. I hope so.

Noon start for homecoming is dumb.

 

[mychaljohn]

Used to love the Homecoming buttons. Sometimes it's really the little things. The Homecomimg Drawstring Bag of '08 has travelled throughout the country and Europe. Sometimes RU penny wise and pound foolish. OC? Maybe 250 anniversary hats go over well. I hope so.

Noon starts for homecoming is dumb.

Those drawstring bags were awesome. We still have a bunch that we use all the time. Looking kinda rough these days, though... Could use some new ones...

 

[G- RUnit]

Those drawstring bags were awesome. We still have a bunch that we use all the time. Looking kinda rough these days, though... Could use some new ones...

Mine too! Think STS gave out Vinyl/plastic ones one year not the same. Loved those '08 bags and thought whose ever idea that was was brilliant.

 

[LadyRU09]

I still have homecoming giveaways dating back to 2000, along with a few shirts. Many alumni associations got involved in pregame stuff (I worked at the Cook table for a couple years.)

When we joined the B1G, there was hardly anything except for one game shirt design. (Of course the weather two years ago sucked, but still)

 

[AshSaturday]

I have NEVER been involved in any homecoming activity and I'm over 50. If you're not from the area, It's relevant. For a school where everyone lives, for the most part within 90 minutes and many commute daily it's kind of funny. I had forgot that it was homecoming until it was mentioned here. Often I seem to see pictures of about 3 alumni in their 60s or 70s with 2-3 recent grads in their 20s. Looks awkward. The only time I went to a game as "homecoming" is was Louisville in 1986 (my last year) and I sat outside the stadium and tailgated with a carload of my former next door very drunk dormmates (who actually hated the player or two that were on the team from our dorm my frosh year-my friends). Didn't get into the game until the 4th quarter. Though these guys played HS all for a decent program (they were bigger than most guys on the team at that point) I have NEVER seen these guys since (~their 1985 graduation)-not even at a game.

Frankly, when I meet up with R crew every home game and tailgate, THATS my homecoming (more than true because technically I have no permanent home now!).

 

[RaySt]

I agree with the OP. After homecoming last year, I posted that it really is now just another football game. For me and my tailgating crew dating back to 1992, each year it was our annual football event where we invited more family and friends, extended our tailgate hours and spent some time down at the alumni tents, heard the marching band, let the kids jump around in the inflatables. Now the tents are fewer and in front of the stadium (an inconvenient, loud and chaotic area IMO). The inflatables in the opposite corner, but much better than when they were just along the road between yellow and blue. We don't visit them anymore. Anyway, I digress. For us, homecoming was a different game, a special one when they did the activities in the area behind Yurcak. Of course there are events all weekend but for me who just comes on Saturday the loss of that specialness is missed. Would be nice if RU could again establish a special area and really roll out the red carpet for its alums. Stuff like that is what builds pride, brings in donations and creates that stickiness we need. Especially in tough seasons.

 

[rurichdog]

Getting thumped on Homecoming few times in recent past didn't help things either

 

[srru86]

We were homecoming in Columbus. The only notable activity that was different from our visit two years ago was they had a parade Friday evening. Seems they had some manner of dinner or reception the night before also. I only noticed that because they were taking down the large tent they hosted it in the morning of the game. Otherwise it was what every game in Ohio Stadium is - a big show.

 

[G- RUnit]

Wisconsin in November did not help either.

 

[vkj91]

Seems like in the past few years, homecoming has almost been deemphasized. Last year there was hardly any tables and they push them in that crowded area where no one would even know where the homecoming stuff is. Its really pretty lame at this point. They used to have them spread out in the fenced in area. I dont know what other schools do for homecoming but it seems like Rutgers homecoming is the equivalent of something you see at a middle school somewhere

My school does a worse job. I don't even get notified as to when Homecoming is. I'd imagine they actually have great events but they don't tell alumni when it actually is. This is a school that generally has great alumni support and zero issues raising money.

 

[ManasquanMike]

We were homecoming in Columbus. The only notable activity that was different from our visit two years ago was they had a parade Friday evening. Seems they had some manner of dinner or reception the night before also. I only noticed that because they were taking down the large tent they hosted it in the morning of the game. Otherwise it was what every game in Ohio Stadium is - a big show.

They had the parade 2 years ago as well. I was a guest of 2 of the Deans there (student life etc). I know the sister from Wall Twp. They also had activities for alumni & fraternities in their student union. You're right though the big difference is the proximity of the non-football related activities to their stadium.

 

[Scarlet Shack]

bac

Homecoming is lacking because

1.) It used to be the ONE game a year that the casual fan went to each year when we never came close to selling out
2.) When we filled the stadium to capacity for 2005 (Navy) and 2006 (Ohio) for Homecoming..it started the trend that you had to want to go the game to get a ticket...then 2007 and 2008 the stadium was oversold...and no casual homecoming fans could get tickets...

I think that four year stretch is kinda what did Homecoming in from what it was in the late 80s into the early 90s....and caught back on again in the earlier Schiano years

This is something that should be reemphasized ....starting with next year...as a way to sell out a game that would be 10000 seats short

Maybe Purdue in mid October next year

 

[ecojew]

Get help.

Agree.