The university broke ground on the College Park Center in spring 2010. Football was dropped in 1985. The Rebel mascot was dropped in 1971. As Arlington State College, it left the A&M System and joined the UT System. The school changed its name from Arlington Military Academy to Grubbs Vocational College in 1917. The Bed Races, an event where teams race beds with wheels, began in 1980. HOMECOMING 2011 T HE S HORTHORN Monday, February 21 UTA growing up From traditions, names and buildings, UTA has come a long way since its first Homecoming celebration. The Shorthorn: Thea Blesener
Transcript
The university broke ground on the College Park Center in spring 2010.
Football was dropped in 1985.
The Rebel mascot was dropped in 1971.
As Arlington State College, it left the A&M System and joined the UT System.
The school changed its name from Arlington Military Academy to Grubbs Vocational College in 1917.
The Bed Races, an event where teams race beds with wheels, began in 1980.
The university broke ground on the College Park Center in spring 2010.
Football was dropped in 1985.
The Rebel mascot was dropped in 1971.
As Arlington State College, it left the A&M System and joined the UT System.
The school changed its name from Arlington Military Academy to Grubbs Vocational College in 1917.
The Bed Races, an event where teams race beds with wheels, began in 1980.
HOMECOMING 2011THE SHORTHORN Monday, February 21
UTA growing upFrom traditions, names and buildings, UTA has come a long way since its first Homecoming celebration.
The Shorthorn: Thea Blesener
Page 2 Monday, February 21, 2011The ShorThorn
homecoming scheduleThursday
residence Life hall decorating Contest: Judges will rate the residence halls’ Homecoming decorations.
Mav swap: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Library mall. Free. Participants can trade collegiate gear for UTA clothing.
Paint your ride with Maverick Pride: 3-5 p.m. Arlington Hall Turn Around. Free. Students will decorate cars with orange, blue and white.
homecoming step show: 7 p.m. Texas Hall. $5 admission. Greek organizations and other groups will perform.
Friday
Golf Cart Parade: Noon. University Center mall and Central Library mall. Groups can decorate golf carts and walk alongside them in the parade.
homecoming Pep rally: Immediately fol-lowing the Golf Cart Parade. Central Li-brary mall. Join university leaders and UTA Spirit Groups as they celebrate this years Homecoming.
student Leader alumni reception: 7 p.m. University Center Rio Grande Ballroom. Invite only. Student leaders from across the years will mingle at the reception.
The Bash: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. University Center. Themed Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, this party will fea-ture several sweet activities like choco-late fountains.
saTurday
Military science hall of honor: 10:30 a.m. University Center Palo Duro Lounge and Bluebonnet Ballroom. The University’s ROTC program will induct alumni into the Hall of Honor.
Tailgate Party & Chili Cook Off: Noon. Trinity House Parking Lot. Organizations will be judged on their chili before the Women’s basketball game.
homecoming Basketball Game vs. Northwestern state: 2 p.m. Texas Hall. The Women’s Basketball team takes brings the competition home against Northwestern State.
homecoming King & Queen Coronation: Texas Hall, Half Time. The Homecoming King and Queen will be announced dur-ing half time.
As the campus develops and spreads through Arlington, so does Maverick pride.
School spirit comes from the inside and spreads out, not the other way around, said Amy Schultz, communications and commu-nity relations associate vice president.
The campus continues to grow with more programs and construction projects aimed at attracting more student and community involvement.
On the east side of campus, the university is constructing the College Park District that will merge the boundaries between the school and city. The $160-million development includes an arena, outdoor space and mixed-use retail and housing development.
“It will provide a welcome center for guests to campus, a state-of-the-art athletics facility for our teams and fans, another residential hub for students and a link between the cam-pus and the growing number of downtown venues,” Schultz said. “The College Park Dis-trict will play a tremendous role in promoting the pride we feel in our campus to the com-munity.”
The district also includes an 1,800 parking-space garage surrounded by a residence hall and apartment, with retail on the ground level.
More than 40 years ago, there was campus pride, but no sense of community involve-ment, alumna Beth Kellner said.
“Pride begins with the campus and the stu-
dents,” she said. “It eventually flows out into the community.”
The pride of Arlington residents and alum-ni living around the campus is just as impor-tant as the students living on campus, she said.
“UTA is one of the biggest forms of enter-tainment and resources the residents have in downtown Arlington,” she said. “Support for a lot of the games and events come from the community.”
The College Park Center, scheduled to open in late 2011, will house the basketball and vol-
leyball teams. Events like concerts and com-munity events also will be moved to the new center.
Aerospace engineering junior David Hall also said school spirit is important for the university.
“We complain about construction a lot, but I think we would lose our sense of pride if the campus wasn’t trying to better itself,” he said.
Construction hoped to increase prideOfficials want to use the development on the east side to draw students.
By Josh BoweThe Shorthorn senior staff
Tamara Simmons’ smile was as wide as her offensive game this year.
The senior guard laughed as she found out her team would play the Homecoming game.
“It’s exciting because usually the boys get the Homecoming game,” she said. “We just want to make sure we come out here and make sure they come to the next game.”
Traditionally associated with football or basketball, the wom-en’s basketball team will host the Homecoming game. Before, the men’s team dominated the festivi-ties.
With a chance to show their
game to a larger audience, the women are ready to display their skills.
“I just hope we come out ready to play,” senior forward Shalyn Martin said.
They’re set to face Northwest-ern State at 2 p.m. on Feb. 26. With the afternoon time slot, Tail-gate Party, Chili Cook-Off starting before the game at noon, and the Movin’ Mavs Alumni Game soon after, Homecoming festivities will be sandwiched around the game.
Head coach Samantha Mor-
row understands the men have a larger fan base, despite losing five starters from 2010, the men’s team averages 748 fans per game while the women’s team averages 419. But with the community and student body focused on their game that Saturday afternoon, she said it can only help attract more fans.
“You’ve got alumni coming back, and that’s always nice to have,” Morrow said. “We’ll have more fans. We always want more fans. It’s a great opportunity for us to go out there and show people the quality of basketball we have.”
Morrow said the men’s bas-ketball team has typically been the showcase game for Home-coming because of its larger fan base. Despite losing five starters from 2010, the men’s team aver-ages 748 fans per game while the women’s team averages 419.
Homecoming will attract fans
Morrow hopes they will keep. Morrow said she’s excited about seeing alumni at the game, too.
“It’s all about the alumni and the former players,” Morrow said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to show people that our brand of basketball is fun to watch.”
With the eyes of the commu-nity on them, Simmons said they won’t put any extra pressure on themselves.
“No pressure, we just go out here and do what we’re supposed to do,” Simmons said.
Morrow said she won’t be feel-ing any pressure – she thinks it’s going to be fun.
“If anything, it’s just a little more excitement,” she said. “Pres-sure might be on the other team. It’s going to be fun though, real fun.”
Women’s basketball looking to take the stageGame is an opportunity to show the quality of UTA basketball, coach says.
when and whereWhat: Women’s basketball vs. Northwestern State When: 2 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Texas Hall
Homecoming king and queen will be announced at halftime.
The Shorthorn: Will LaVoncher
College Park Center is scheduled to open this year. It will be home to sports games, concerts and community events.
hOMECOMiNG EdiTiON
Monday, February 21, 2011 Page 3
The 2011 UTA Homecoming court may come from different walks of life, but they all share the opportu-
nity to be crowned Homecoming king or queen.
Each stepped onto campus their fresh-man year with different goals and ended up taking a paths of leadership and deter-
mination impacting those around them.After years of dedication, their peers
have recognized their hard work and nom-inated them for this opportunity. Whether spreading school spirit, volunteering or just trying to survive classes, they have strived to impact UTA.
Here’s a glimpse of what goes on behind
the scenes of Homecoming nominees. The winners will be announced during half-time at the basketball game against North-western State on Saturday. The game starts at 2 p.m. in Texas Hall.
— Stephanie Knefel
Homecoming court prepares for coronation
MIRIAM ZEHAIEMiriam Zehaie, Ms.
UTA and interdisciplin-ary studies education junior, has her hands full with various ac-tivities. On top of that, she is hoping to create the ideal Homecoming look to match her ideal experience.
“I definitely want to wear blue or or-ange,” she said. “I want to look classy, yet modern.”
Zehaie plans to wear her hair curly, along with getting her makeup done. She is still on the hunt for the perfect dress, but has an idea of where to find it.
Zehaie is determined to climb the lad-der of success to make her family proud and add to their accomplishments while fulfilling her dreams of influencing oth-ers.
“My parents came from East Africa, and I see how much my parents worked for our family,” she said. “I see how hard my sister has worked, and so I also want to be a role model for my little brother.”
Zehaie’s enthusiasm for UTA pride and activities is well-noted with her peers.
Sondra Showels, EXCEL Campus Ac-tivities president, said. “She submerges herself in school spirit. It would be an honor for her to serve as Homecoming queen.”
RICKY IRVINGRicky Irving, Mr.
UTA and interdisci-plinary studies senior, already envisioned his Homecoming day col-ors. Irving got the in-spiration from a friend’s wedding pictures.
“I’m sure that I want to wear turquoise and white,” he said.
Irving said he was shy in high school and gradually gained confidence, but still maintains his quiet demeanor.
“Just because someone is shy doesn’t mean you don’t work hard,” he said. “I’m not one to be in people’s faces.”
Biology junior Tim Johnson says peo-ple like Irving are one of a kind.
“Ricky is a very determined person with enormous dreams,” Johnson said. “He has a vivid imagination and a large heart. He’s a friend that I can count on to be consis-tent and supportive because he lives his life like nothing is impossible for himself or anyone around him.”
Irving plans on enjoying quality time with his friends after Homecoming and looks forward to future accomplishments. Graduating in December, he aims to be successful in graduate school and in pro-ducing film.
“I want to be able to tell stories,” he said. “I’m a visionary.”
OMAR ROSALESMechanical engi-
neering senior Omar Rosales said he is excit-ed and honored to take part in as many events as he can.
He said he uses his experience growing up as inspiration to pursue his dreams.
“I woke up one day and realized what I growing up was not something I wanted forever,” he said. “I wanted a change.”
Rosales said focusing on school keeps him grounded.
“I’m here for a reason,” he said. “Every time I go back home it reminds me of
everything I don’t want and it puts this in perspective.”
Close friend Ana Garcia describes him as a dedicated, smart and respectful per-son who works hard.
“He knows what he wants and goes for it,” she said. “He always brings positive energy into a room.”
Rosales discovered his passion for engi-neering during his last year in high school and realized he could make a living off of something that came naturally to him.
He hopes to use his talent in the Navy’s nuclear engineering program to make an impact on people’s lives — big or small.
“I like leaving good impressions on people,” he said.
TIERRA CHATMONPublic relations ju-
nior Tierra Chatmon is excited to look elegant and classy on Homecom-ing day. Although she is still searching for the right dress, she has her picture-perfect look in mind.
“There hasn’t been a dress that I really like, but I love long dresses,” she said.
Tierra is excited because her sister will do her hair to match her sophisticated look.
“I want some spiral curls that are prob-ably going to be pinned up. And, of course,
I want to wear jewelry.”Tierra is an active student on campus.
She set her goals her freshman year, and it helped her make the supportive friends that she has today.
“Tierra is like a big sister I never had,” pre-nursing sophomore Cheyanne Thomp-son said. “She is always there for me no matter what. She is very outgoing, positive, helpful, loving, friendly and social.”
Tierra is thrilled at the idea of being in the court because she made it a goal of hers when she started at UTA.
“I feel honored that my peers voted for me,” she said. “I’m happy that I can at least be on the court. And if I win, I would be even more privileged.”
EMILY BORENEnglish teaching se-
nior Emily Boren is not a stranger to Homecom-ing activities. Her brother was Homecoming king at UTA in 2009 and she was hooked since she first be-came involved with UTA spirit events. Therefore, she has a better feeling of what to wear.
“I’m thinking of wearing a nice evening gown, but something not too formal,” she said. “I’ll probably wear my hair down but curled.”
Boren said she wants to treat Homecom-ing day like any other, by working out in the
morning, followed by lunch and just keep-ing the whole experience in perspective.
“I’m excited and honored just to be in-volved in the activities,” she said. “I’m also excited about all the events leading up to it. Win or lose — we will all still go out with the family afterwards.”
Boren said she takes her work ethic and faith very seriously, and it helps create long-lasting friendships.
“She has a servant heart,” art junior Morgan Elliott said. “She’s going to be very successful. I’m excited to see what God has in store for her.”
Boren graduates in December and hopes to make an impact in the world by teaching students to go above and beyond.
when and whereWhen: Winners will be announced at halftime at the women’s bas-ketball game 2 p.m. Saturday. Where: Texas Hall
EDWIN BALDELOMARPhysics senior Edwin
Baldelomar has an eye for fashion, which he said he inherits from his grand-father. He hopes to bring his own style to Home-coming. He hasn’t pieced together the perfect en-semble, but he is on the hunt.
“I am into fashion,” he said. “I can sew, so I go to thrift stores and put together some unique stuff. It’s a hit or miss.”
Baldelomar said he is excited to be part of the long tradition.
“Leaving college as a Homecoming king would be a nice image to have,” he said.
Baldelomar is active in engineering, physics and math. He said he feels excited to bring in some new flavor to court, since normally people view physics majors as low key people.
“A lot of people really view the physics students as students who don’t do a lot outside of class,” he said. “It would mean more for me to win for the colleagues in my department.”
Close friend Frederick Williams admires Baldelomar for everything he represents.
“He is, literally, the nicest person I know,” he said. “He is pure-hearted and will go out of his way to help you. I named my first son after him in hopes that he will grow up to be half the man that Edwin is.”
The ShorThorn HOMECOMING EDITION
Page 4 Monday, February 21, 2011
By Vallari GupteThe Shorthorn staff
Clapping sounds reverber-ated through the dance room as the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity members practiced their routine for the 2011 Homecoming Step Show.
In perfect s y n c h r o n i -zation, they require no music to step. A rhythm of claps, footwork and a little bit of acting and expression is all they needed to enjoy the per-fect step.
Finance sophomore Jackson Clay said it’s his first time step-ping with the fraternity. Clay didn’t participate as a freshman last year because he was inducted into the fraternity this spring.
“The group has helped me a lot. They look out for me,” he said. “I am enjoying the experience of really contributing to the Step Show this year.”
Advertising senior T. J. Foster said the dancers don’t have as-signed roles yet.
“We have been practicing for ten days now, and we will be in that stage in two days,” he said.
Eight members of the African Students’ Organization came up with the steps as a collective effort for the show.
Kinesiology freshman Bran-don Esianor said the organiza-tion’s motivation is to beat the greek organizations.
“Since we are competing on a big stage, we have something to prove,” Esianor said.
Political science sophomore Timeka Warren said the organi-zation participated in the 2010 Homecoming Step Show, and the members share a passion for stepping.
“Stepping is one beat, one noise, one sound, one team,” she
said. “I’ve been in Homecoming and we have gotten way better since our first year.”
Michael Taddesse, Greek Life and University Events assistant director, said the show is a Greek
tradition where for-mer students come back and step with the students.
“ H o m e c o m i n g at UTA is always unique and differ-ent from other cam-puses. We showcase our students’ talents,” Taddesse said. “We do not invite groups
from outside.” Taddesse said prizes will be
awarded to the first and second place winners. According to the Homecoming website, first place winners will get $1,000 and sec-ond place will receive $500. The money will be transferred to the organizations’ accounts.
“Regardless of the prize, teams register for the love of stepping,” he said.
whenandwhereWhen: 7 p.m. ThursdayWhere: Texas Hall Cost: $5
“Regardless of the prize, teams register for the love of stepping.”
Michaeltaddesse,Greek Life and University Events assistant director
By Vidwan raGhaVanThe Shorthorn staff
For Joe Swift, induction to the Department of Military Science’s Hall of Honor was a humbling sur-prise.
“There are just so many other people,” the business administration alumnus said. “I’m surprised I got it.”
Swift is one of three inductees to the Hall of Honor this year. As part of Homecoming celebrations, com-mittee members of the Cadet Corps Alumni Council select two or three alumni from nominations received year round.
Individuals can be nominated for three different categories: Cadet Corps Alumni, Honorary or Service.
Allan Garonzik, Cadet Corps Alumni Council president, said in-ductees are required to be alumni, part of the military science depart-ment and have a distinguished mili-tary or civilian career.
Sarah Nahhas, Cadet Corps Alumni Council administrator, said the department started honoring its alumni in 1980.
“They get a big plaque in their honor,” Nahhas said. “The military science department has a Hall of Honor room in College Hall.”
Swift graduated in 1963 when UTA was Arlington State College. Ricky Gibbs, 1982 graduate, and John Kearby, 1925 graduate, are the other two recipients
“It is a fantastic honor because a committee of my peers have selected me for it,” he said.
A Vietnam and Korea veteran, Swift said he was shocked when he found out he was getting the honor.
He said his military career was a reflection of UTA’s ROTC program.
“To me, it’s more of an honor to the ROTC cadre there because I gained so much knowledge in that department. The NCOs [Noncom-missioned officer] and the school, more than anybody, prepared me very well,” he said. “I’ve seen ROTC cadets from other schools, they weren’t nearly as pre-pared as we were.”
Garonzik said the award is for
alumni that were part of the military science program in any of the past avatars of UTA.
However, the honoree need not have exhaustive mili-tary career, he said.
“In my case, I didn’t have a long stellar military career, but I was involved in the community,” he said about being in-ducted in 2007.
Garonzik was in-volved with the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts and has been part of orga-nizations that further the cause of Leukemia for 22 years.
He said being inducted was an honor because of the small number
of recipients.“Out of thousands of cadets that
have gone through, only about 80 have got this,” he said.
Garonzik said he spent a year making a documentary about all the recipients of the honor, including this year’s three.
The documentary’s first screen-ing will be played during the induc-tion ceremony.
Swift said he was excited about attending Homecoming.
“I’m looking forward to meeting my friends and getting back on cam-pus and seeing how it has changed over time,” he said.
Alumni recognized in Hall of Honor induction ceremony Nominees are inducted by peers for military and career achievements.
The Shorthorn: File Photo
The Sam Houston Rifle Drill Team performs for drill team alumni on the University Center mall during the 2010 Hall of Honor Reception.
whenandwhereWhen: 10:30 a.m.Where: University Center Palo Duro Lounge and Bluebonnet Ballroom
The Shorthorn: Allyson Kaler
Finance senior E’ Patrick Ekong, left, and biological chemistry senior Tobi Ogundele rehearse with the Alpha Phi Alpha step team Feb. 7 in the Maver-ick Activities Center. Stage time is 12 minutes for each team.
The ShorThorn HOMECOMING EDITION
Monday, February 21, 2011 Page 5
BY ALLEN BALDWINThe Shorthorn staff
Students will crowd the walkways as golf carts, deco-rated for Homecoming, parade through east side of campus.
The Homecoming Golf Cart Parade begins at noon Friday. The parade, in its fourth year, gives groups and organizations a chance to showcase their school spirit around campus.
Psychology junior LaQruishia Gill said she was part of the UTA Ambassadors float last year. To go with the year’s The Bash theme, she said the cart had a superheroes motif.
“We all wore capes and painted masks on our faces,” she said. “Then we decked out the cart in UTA colors.”
This year’s The Bash theme is Willy Wonka and the Choco-
late Factory. She said some groups will
interact with bystanders.“Some people cheer or throw
candy or souvenirs into the crowd,” she said. “People get re-ally into it.”
The parade route will start in Lot 38 by the UTA Book-store. It will pass by the College Park Center construction site at Pecan Street giving students and alumni a look at what di-rection the school is moving in. The parade will wind its way to the University Center mall through campus to its final des-tination, Central Library mall. A pep rally will be held immedi-ately after the parade ends.
Seth Ressl, Greek Life and University Events director, said the university rents 50 carts. Groups are given carts on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Ressl said anyone could have rented a golf cart for the pa-rade, including residence halls, organizations, departments or individuals. The $35 entrance
fee paid for the golf cart rentals.Groups can have a maximum
of nine students, four in the cart and five walking alongside.
Ressl said three secret judges will decide which is the best cart in the parade. Carts will be judged based on decorations, creativity and school spirit.
Last year, carts were decorat-ed the night before the parade, Ressl said.
“We attempted to do it the night before, and it created some logistical issues and the weather was uncooperative,” he said. “With the weather, you never know.”
Michael Taddesse, Greek Life and University Events assistant director, said students this year will decorate their carts from 8-11 a.m. Friday.
“It doesn’t take more than an hour,” he said. “If you’re taking more than an hour, you’re doing too much.”
Decorated golf carts parade across campus for celebrationGroups will decorate and drive carts around to showcase school spirit.
The Shorthorn: File Photo
Alpha Tau Omega fraternity members drive through the University Center mall during the 2010 Homecoming Golf Cart Parade.
IF YOU GO...When: The parade begins at noon Fri-day. Groups will decorate their carts from 8-11 a.m.
Route: The parade will start in Lot 38 by the UTA Bookstore and end on the Central Library mall. Some groups throw candy and souvenirs during the event. A pep rally will fol-low the parade.
N
NUniversity Center
UTA Bookstore
Library
Fourth Street
Third Street
Coo
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Str
eet
Start
End
The Shorthorn: Lorraine Frajkor
General Practice; Licensed by Texas Supreme CourtPrincipal Office 6200 Airport Freeway Ft. Worth, TX
Attorney available by appointment M-F at all office locations.Not certified by Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Saturday, February 26 at NoonTrinity Hall Parking Lot
(west of Texas Hall)
GTailGate & Chili Cook-off
Cost is $5 for Alumni Association Members and Student Alumni Association Members and $10 for
non-members.
Includes: Captain Billy Whizzbang's hamburger or veggie burger and all the fixings, chips, a drink and
Alumni Giveaways.
Afterward, join us for the Homecoming Basketball game vs. Northwestern State at 2:00 p.m.
To RSVP, visit us at www.uta.edu/alumni/tailgateparty
or call 817.272.2594
Online tickets & menu @ www.MovieTavern.com
$2 Upcharge applies to all 3D films.
BIG MOMMAS: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON • 108 mins • PG13 11:00AM | 1:50 | 4:40 | 7:45 | 10:40No Passes Digital
GNOMEO AND JULIET 3D • 84 mins • G 10:45AM | 1:20 | 3:50 | 6:20 | 8:55No Passes Digital
I AM NUMBER FOUR • 110 mins • PG13 10:30AM | 1:10 | 4:05 | 7:00 | 9:55No Passes Digital
JUST GO WITH IT • 116 mins • PG1312:15 | 3:40 | 7:30 | 10:30No Passes Digital
JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER 3D • 105 mins • G 12:30 | 3:15 | 6:30 | 9:20No Passes Digital
THE EAGLE • 114 mins • PG1312:00 | 3:30 | 6:45 | 9:45No Passes Digital
UNKNOWN (2011) • 113 mins • PG13 10:55AM | 1:30 | 4:15 | 7:15 | 10:15No Passes Digital
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21
THE SHORTHORN HOMECOMING EDITION
3. Since 1989, Oozeball has helped participants have fun getting dirty while playing mud volleyball. What organizations sponsor the tournament?
Page 6 Monday, February 21, 2011
BY TESIA KWARTENGThe Shorthorn staff
It’s time to celebrate homecom-ing.
With traditions dating back to the early 1900s, UTA has a unique history of Homecoming festivities.
HomecomingThe king and queen corona-
tion is one of the oldest traditions starting in 1932. The actual term “Homecoming” wasn’t used until 1953 when UTA, formerly Arling-ton State College, had a football team and won its first Homecom-ing game against San Angelo State University.
Seth Ressl, Greek Life and Uni-versity Events director, said Home-coming is a time for alumni to come home and support the uni-versity team.
Alumnus William Bernard re-members UTA’s football days and when Homecoming traditions in-cluded a bonfire, bed races, pep rally and Homecoming dance in the late ’70s.
“It was great, and we all had a very good time,” he said. “We all sat together at the game, partied together and had a Greek picnic on that Sunday.”
After the university dropped football, Homecoming occurred at different times of the year, includ-ing volleyball season, in an attempt to keep it in the fall semester.
Eventually it settled during bas-ketball season and has been in the spring semester ever since.
Ressl said Homecoming, in general, is centered around an ath-letic event, whether it be football, volleyball or basketball.
Golf Cart ParadeWhat was once a Homecom-
ing parade down Main Street in 1960, complete with automobiles and floats, is now a golf cart parade down the University Center mall and the Central Library mall. This year marks the fourth annual golf cart parade. Student organizations deck out golf carts to show organi-zational and school spirit.
Tailgate and Chili Cook-OffIn 2005, the UTA Ambassadors
hosted the first annual Chili Cook-Off. It originally started as an event that was during the week and is now the same day as the Homecom-ing basketball game. Organizations come together for a good time and see who will win bragging rights in the Trinity House parking lot.
The BashFull of activities, food and
games, The Bash is a Homecoming tradition that was modeled after an event called the All Night Fair. The fair was similar to a lock-in and celebrated the opening of the Uni-versity Center after a renovation. The Bash is still held in the Univer-sity Center and is approximately 10 years old.
“The Bash is my favorite Home-coming tradition,” accounting ju-nior Ngozi Egbujor said. “Free food, great games and spending time with my friends is always a good time.”
Homecoming Step ShowFirst introduced in 2003, the
Homecoming Step Show was origi-nally a small event to expose stu-dents who were not familiar with step shows to the culture. Students could watch groups who tradition-ally step, partner up with those that didn’t in the Rosebud Theatre. Because of increased popularity, it evolved into a showcase and moved to Texas Hall.
Lost Traditions Some traditions have come and
gone, such as the Blue and White Fashion Show and the Big Switch. Ressl said these events stopped be-cause of popularity and changes in trends.
Fashion designers from Bauder Fashion College, which used to be adjacent to the university, would have students model their designs for the Blue and White Fashion Show.
The Big Switch was an event where students and administrators changed places for a day.
Homecoming offers old, new traditions for alumni and students Although some traditions were dropped, some favorites have stuck around.
Test your traditions knowledgeHomecoming is all about tradition. Test your knowledge of these campus traditions, new and old, with a quiz. Answers can be found by visiting some of the locations, reading the stories in The Shorthorn Homecoming edition and by searching the UTA website.
— Marissa Hall
1. Have a test today? Superstition says that rubbing the statue head of former university President E.H. Hereford in the University Center is good luck. Dur-ing what years was he president?
today? Superstition says that rubbing the statue head of former university President E.H. Hereford in the University Center is good luck. Dur-ing what years was he president?
2. Each fall during Bed Races, teams clad them-selves in helmets and costumes and race beds down the Maverick Stadium field. What year did this tradition begin?
4. Through food, cultural exhibits and a talent show, International Week celebrates diversity on campus each spring. What event starts the annual event?
5. The hanging bras, panties and underwear flying in front of Brazos House each fall is no practical joke. The residence hall’s Bra Bridge aims to raise money for what cause?
6. New and transfer students are welcomed into the new school year each fall with MavsMeet New Student Convocation. Notable campus figures, including the university president and Student Con-gress president, speak at the event. Where does the event take place?
7. Fireworks, music and a cannon all help graduat-ing Mavericks celebrate their accomplishments during the Graduation Celebration. Where will the event take place this May?
8. Mischievous students have been known to pull this prank on the fountain east of the cen-ter bridge. What is the prank? (Hint: It makes it squeaky clean.)
9. Each spring, this college celebrates itself with a week of events. Some of the events include Pie-the-Professor, an awards banquet, lectures and a career fair. What college is it?
5. Homecoming has changed throughout the uni-versity’s history. The first year it began, festivities included a bonfire, parade and coronation. When did we begin celebrating Homecoming?
ANSWERS1. 1946-19582. 19803. Student Alumni As-sociation and Campus Recreation 4. a parade
5. 19326. Texas Hall 7. the Levitt Pavilion8. filling it with soap9. College of Engineer-ing 10. Breast cancer awareness
The Shorthorn: Stuart Hausmann The Shorthorn:
Stuart Hausmann
The Shorthorn: Stuart
Hausmann
The Shorthorn: Stuart Hausmann
THE SHORTHORN HOMECOMING EDITION
Monday, February 21, 2011 Page 7
By Melanie GruBenThe Shorthorn staff
Residence halls will compete to see which has the most creative presentation for this year’s Homecoming hall decorat-ing competition.
All halls will be given a theme Wednes-day and must be finished decorating by the next morning when they will be judged.
“It’s a big community effort,” said Sta-cey McKendry, Arlington Hall graduate assistant residence director. “Hall Council are involved, resident assistants are in-volved and residents.”
McKendry said halls don’t collaborate on their decorating projects.
Residents often get no sleep the night before while they stay up decorating, said Collin Harper, Brazos House office as-sistant.
“In a lot of ways, it’s a way to bond together, because everyone is working together for a common goal, which is to win,” Harper said.
In 2008, Brazos’ theme was “Cow-boys and Indians.” Occupants decorated the downstairs section of Brazos like the “wild west” with an imitation of what the Brazos River region might look like. Resi-
dents dressed up as members of the “wild west” for judging day. Brazos occupants also used their Homecoming decorations to display the history of Brazos and its change from being military barracks to a residence hall.
“You never know exactly what’s going to happen the day of, simply because you spend so much time in your commu-nity you don’t see what other dorms are doing,” Harper said.
Last year, Lipscomb Hall residents decorated with the colors of the rain for-est.
“We had a jungle theme,” said Chris Ehiogu, Lipscomb Hall office assistant. “We decorated the whole front of the lobby, and we had trees and little lions, because our mascot is Leo.”
Angie Mack, Lipscomb Hall office as-sistant, described Lipscomb’s past deco-rations.
“In 2008, in honor of RecycleMania, we used recycled Shorthorn newspapers, and we balled them up, and we spray painted them blue and orange,” Mack said. “We taped them onto this big piece of white butcher paper spelling out the word ‘Lipscomb,’ and we hid Butterfin-gers throughout Lipscomb for the judges to find.”
Campus occupants dress dwellings Residence Halls have 24 hours to create a design and decorate hall to celebrate Homecoming.
By Tory BarrinGerThe Shorthorn staff
Candy lovers, take note: This year’s Homecoming party will be sweet.
The annual Homecoming party, called The Bash, will have a Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Fac-tory theme. The celebration will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday at the University Center. It will be the second night in a three-day celebration of UTA’s history.
Last year’s caricature artist booths will be making a return, said Judy Agwu, EXCEL Campus Traditions director. Students can sample from “fizzy drink” stations, but they don’t need to worry about floating away as Charlie and his grandfather did. Naturally, there will be candy for all.
Those who have some aggression to work out can try sumo wrestling. The round suits are a tribute to Violet Beauregarde, the gum-chewing Wonka factory visitor who ended up transforming into a giant blue-berry. This year’s Bash will feature a costume contest, so students who want to dress up
should break out their best purple suits.The event will also have a scavenger hunt
for golden tickets. A trip to Wonka’s famous candy factory is probably out, but Agwu confirmed that there would be prizes for the
costume contest and scavenger hunt.
Physics sophomore Charles Rambo was surprised by the Wonka idea.
“I wasn’t aware that was a possible theme,” Rambo said.
At UTA for his first year, Rambo said he would be interested in checking out The Bash.
Business junior Richard Stacey laughed when he heard the theme, but said he was looking forward to it. Stacey went to previ-ous Homecoming celebrations and said he enjoyed all the activities and attractions. He was also drawn to the idea of the Willy Wonka party.
“The first thing I thought about was candy,” Stacey said. “And Oompa Loompas.”
