Homecoming '97 finally came and went. This year's festivities,
schedule changes and sit-outs notwithstanding, proved to be a very
enjoyable time among students and alumni alike.
Here are a few comments.
"It's great to see the whole Homecoming Week because it creates a
sense of unity in the whole school that I haven't seen before," said Wes
McIntosh, a freshman.
"I'm proud to go to a school that thrives on it's traditions, kind
of makes me teary-eyed," said senior Drew Matter.
"It sure is good to be back after 25 years. I'm glad my son's here
too," said alumnus Jerry Erpenbach, a class of 1971 Nuclear Engineering
graduate.
The Ramblin' Wreck Parade took place on Friday afternoon rather than
the traditional Saturday morning. Several hundred students and alumni
turned out for what Ramblin' Reck Club's Pat Edwards called one of the
oldest and most beloved homecoming traditions.
"I like having the parade in the afternoon because I'm not a morning
person," said Kara Johnson, a sophomore.
"[The parade is] phat as heck, it's all good," exclaimed junior
Jonathan Wadell.
"This is Engineering at its best, and they pay us for it. It's great
having it in the afternoon, there are a lot of students here," said
Lindsay Eggler, a sophomore.
Sophomore Seth Sundell, described the parade as "a little slow
moving but the floats were of high quality."
He also added, "You ain't going to see this at UGA."
"The wreck parade is to Tech Homecoming as beefcake is to South
Park," explained John Dicasali, who is rumored to have aced the
analogies part of the SAT's Verbal Section.
The Homecoming events began with a football tournament sponsored by
Nike. The fields were returned to students after a year of repairs and
construction.
On Monday of homecoming week, Battle of the Bands started. Three
bands battled it out in this event's inaugural year.
Tech Trivia Night was held on Monday as well. It took place at
Junior's Grill where teams matched wits in this two-round contest
answering questions on Institute history, sports, traditions, dates, and
alumni.
Immediately following Trivia on Monday was Mock Rock, sponsored by
the IFC/Panhellenic Homecoming Committee and held in the Robert Ferst
Center for the Arts. Mock Rock proceeds benefited the Make-a-Wish
Foundation.
Wednesday, teams of students hunted for clues in the Blue Suede
Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by the Student Center Homecoming Committee.
Teams followed clues to find words that would make up a mystery phrase.
The first team to figure the phrase won.
On Thursday, the annual Mini 500 tricycle race ran at Peter's
Parking Deck. Contestants drove 10 for women and 15 laps for men around
the Peter's Parking Deck and were required to make three pit stops for
reversal of the front wheel.
Also on Thursday was the Homecoming Talent Show. The acts were
divided into Large and Small group divisions.
On Friday morning Freshmen lined up to race in the Freshmen Cake
Race. The winners received a cake and a kiss from Mr. and Ms. Georgia
Tech.
Also on Friday, judging for Homecoming Displays was conducted.
Judging was based on Mechanical Design, Originality, Theme Relevance,
and Neatness and Attractiveness.
Friday afternoon the Reck Parade began at 3:30. Entries competed in
Classic, Fixed Body, and Contraption categories. Classes were cancelled
after 3:00.
