An excerpt from the 1969 Houstonian yearbook, preserved in the UH Archives, shows Lynn Eusan making history as UH’s first black Homecoming queen. | Photo courtesy of UH Archives.
UH’s Homecoming traditions and events have evolved over its 80-year history, but one constant has been the unity of students, faculty and staff.
Here’s an overview of how Homecoming began and the origin of its more recent traditions.
Beginning
HOCO began with a single celebration in 1946 to honor students and alumni who served during World War II.
In the 1950s, the University started hosting more events in the lead-up to the crowning of the Homecoming queens, including pep rallies, street dances, downtown float competitions and a bonfire. Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s, the University also began hosting more bonfires and contests between its frats and sororities, including the once-popular rope-pulling contest.
This marked the beginning of the University’s current tradition of hosting friendly competitions throughout Homecoming week.
Spirit Cup
The Spirit Cup is a Homecoming competition where student teams from residence halls and campus organizations can compete and earn points from each event hosted during Homecoming week.
Some annual competitions include the Painting with the Cougar and the bed races. At the end of the week, the team with the highest overall score receives a trophy.
This competition is meant to create a sense of community among students and campus groups and strengthen school pride, said Chair of the Homecoming board Karsyn Lott.
“Although it’s still a competition, we want students to feel at home and we want them to feel like they can do everything right here at Houston,” Lott said.
Strutt Your Stuff
Since the 1970s, the ‘Strutt Your Stuff’ event has allowed student teams to compete for awards, typically spirit points, by creating and performing skits, presentations and routines.
Although this event is a staple of Homecoming week, the University will not be hosting it this year.
Bed races
Another longtime Homecoming tradition is the annual bed races, where student teams decorate rolling beds and compete to show their pride and earn points.
Canstruction
Another prominent Homecoming tradition is the Canstruction event, where student teams can showcase their creativity and school spirit by building Texas and Houston-themed structures using canned goods to be donated.
Homecoming concert
A recent homecoming tradition is the annual concert. Normally held in the Cullen Performance Hall, this concert brings students together to listen and dance to the performances of notable artists. Some past headliners include rapper Babyface Ray and Waka Flocka Flame.
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