homecoming fun facts

Did you know...

• The school colors of Indiana State University since 1899, when it was announced the Yale Blue and White would replace the colors of Salmon Pink and White. The colors are also applied to the Blue and White Parade and the Blue and White Dance held during Homecoming each fall.
  
  
• The term Homecoming was first used in print announcements for the Alumni-Varsity Basketball Game on December 9, 1916. By 1919 this even became known as Blue and White Day and featured dances and entertainments for alumni of the Normal School.
   
• In 1921 the events were organized around a fall football game. A bonfire and pep rally were added to the festivities in 1922; the Blue and White Parade in 1923; and in 1937, Bette Whitmore (Kappa Kappa) was elected Homecoming Queen. Marvin Houghlain was crowned the first Bachelor of the Year in 1956.
  
  
• In 1921 a contest was held to pick a name for the athletic teams at what was then called the Indiana State Normal School. Until this time, the term "Fighting Teachers" was frequently used in press accounts of athletic contests. In January 1922, it was announced that the name Sycamores had won a popular vote of the student body. Indiana State University has used this team name ever since.
  
  
• Past Homecoming activities have included a Blue and White formal dance, bonfire, greased pole race, Yell Like Hell cheer contest, ice cream social and Sycamore Sillies.
  
  
• The Indiana State Tricycle Derby was first run in 1963 as a 10-lap race around the sidewalks of the Quadrangle on children's tricycles. The races featured a men's and women's division (the Powder Puff Derby). The races now feature men's and women's teams racing on specially built tricycles at the new Recreation East complex at Ninth and Sycamore streets.
  
  
• March On (You Fighting Sycamores),” the University’s fight song, was authored and arranged by Joseph A. Gremelspacher, Professor of Music, as a pep song. It was first performed at a Homecoming pep rally on Oct. 20, 1939.
  
  
• The university dropped its homecoming queen and king (referred to as Bachelor of the Year at ISU) in 1991.