Illinois

WHERE HOMECOMING BEGAN

Each fall there is one special weekend that attracts a university’s alumni back to campus for the purpose of renewing old friendships, reviving memories and cheering for the home team. This moment is know as homecoming and Illinois is credited for starting the tradition in 1910.

Many homecoming experiences that are enjoyed today were initiated during the first celebration at Illinois. Events included a victory for the home team, a varsity alumni baseball game, an interclass track meet, a band reunion, a “rooter” section at the game and a hobo band parade performed by members of the senior class. More than one-third of the school’s graduates returned to the campus for the three-day event.