Madison Long
Life Editor
The week of October 20-25, you’ll see Student Activities Board, SAB, sanctioned events taking over Idaho State’s campus for Homecoming week. Monday’s BBQ on the Quad from 4-6 p.m. will give you a chance to read up on the events and check out the window paintings decorated by all the ISU clubs.
To really enter the Homecoming spirit, compete in the sweepstakes Minute-to-Win-It Games, Tuesday from 12-1 p.m. in the Student Union Building (SUB). With everyday items like marshmallows, cups, popsicle sticks, or cotton balls, fight your sorority sister or your annoying lab partner in a battle of speed, coordination, and looking ridiculous.
After relishing in your hidden talent of knocking over 15 plastic cups in one minute, head to the north parking lot of the ICCU Dome at 8 p.m. Chant the fight song, “Growl, Bengals, growl,” bust out a small move with the dance team, and help light up the Pocatello night with the flame of our enemy, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks! (Disclaimer: No real lumberjacks will be burned, just a towering wooden box with their logo painted on the sides.)
“I’m really excited to be social and get involved,” says Hallee Matthews, a freshman studying biology. “Me and all my friends are going to the game and we’re super excited for that.”
Wednesday brings some calmer activities, with another sweepstakes event titled, “What’s in the Box?” From noon to 1 p.m. in the SUB, bravely stick your hand inside a mystery box to guess what’s inside – fair warning, you may end up with sticky green slime on your hands!
Then, later that night at 7 p.m., the SUB Ballroom will be flooded with Mike’s bad rendition of “I Want It That Way.” However, consider showing him up as you sign up early for the Homecoming Lip Sync Battle.
When asked what songs students might lip-sync, the responses varied. Jordyn House, a freshman majoring in Marketing and Management, said he would choose Imagine Dragons’ “Believer,” while Matthews went classic with “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Another student, freshman Breanne Hansen, said she would lip-sync to “Baby” by Justin Bieber.
If you haven’t tired out yet, or if you need a quick kick, head to the SUB on Thursday at noon to sample non-alcoholic mocktails created by the ISU clubs. Vote on your favorite and help boost your club in the Homecoming Sweepstakes.
And again later that night in the ballroom, watch your fellow Bengals showcase their talents and school spirits to represent at the Homecoming Parade and half-time show in the Royalty Pageant!
As a segue into the homecoming game, invite your friends, family, and partners to Bengal Family Weekend. Explore campus, watch Fantastic 4: First Steps at the Bengal Theater, check out the game center, play disc golf, or wander in the Idaho Museum of Natural History.
“Both my parents actually work on campus, so they’re going to make me take them places. So yes, I’ll be doing Bengal Family Weekend,” says Lexi Duncan, a Marketing and Management major. “We’ll just go wherever they want to.”
If you’re aching for more competition, swing by the ballroom again on Friday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. for Homecoming Bingo. To play, you must be 18, but you’ll be open to win a variety of prizes, potentially including new tech.
That same evening, cool off and try not to break your ankles on the moonlight hike up to the Red Hill pillars. Stay up late to touch the pillars at midnight and earn your spot as a “True Bengal.”
End the homecoming week with a triumphant finish during the Saturday morning parade from 10 a.m. to noon. Catch candy, prizes, and support the other ISU student clubs as they ride in their floats up Center Street.
Lastly, catch some quick Z’s before heading back to the ICCU Dome for the pre-game President and Alumni Association tailgates from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Then, cheer on your favorite Bengal football player at the 4 p.m. homecoming football game.
When asked how she thinks we’ll do against Northern Arizona, Hansen, an English major, replied, “Arizona? Oh yeah. We’ll totally destroy them.”
