It only happens once in 100 years.

This past weekend, Mizzou celebrated its Centennial Homecoming. Although the term "first homecoming" is debatable, the University of Missouri is widely recognized as the founder of homecoming, dating back to when the athletic director invited alumni home to Mizzou for the Missouri-Kansas football game in 1911. Without getting too scholarly here, I will acknowledge the opposing faction that claims Mizzou was not the first. An Associated Press story published last month said, in part:

Tigers faithful have spent decades claiming former Missouri football coach and athletic director Chester Brewer's invitation for graduates to “come home” was the start of the tradition. School leaders know better — and are now more vocal in dispelling a well-worn myth whose adherents included Brewer himself.

“We try to be a little more careful about it,” said Missouri Alumni Association executive director Todd McCubbin, whose organization used to promote the school's homecoming as “the first and finest.”

The Oct. 15 game vs. Iowa State, preceded by a week's worth of activities, is now simply the school's centennial celebration.

“Certainly, our graduates feel like we're the first,” he said. “Sometimes perception is reality.”

So basically, what I'm saying is I'll still claim Mizzou as the originator of Homecoming. And we're still recognized as the largest student-run homecoming in the nation!

This is what Greektown looks like the night before Homecoming! (Right outside the ADPi house.)

Go Tigers! Moving on ...
Each year, the majority of Greek chapters at Mizzou participate in a huge competition, which includes donating at the university blood drive, volunteering in the community, producing a 15-minute skit, creating and displaying campus decorations and building a float for the parade. I'm very excited to say that this year, Alpha Delta Pi won the overall Homecoming competition with the men of Alpha Gamma Rho and Beta Sigma Psi! Here's a recap of the busy weeks leading up to our victory:

 This was my first year in skit! I was just an extra, but I like to think I made a

difference on stage. Haha.

All the pairings put up "Campus Decorations" on Friday night for the community to enjoy.

We perform short skits in front of the boards, which are pomped, painted or otherwise decorated.

This year, our Campus Decorations won third place!

Our float won first place out of all the Greek chapters!

(The skit, campus decorations and float were all themed after our assigned celebration, "Sweet Sixteen.")

Thanks to Karissa Shores and Krista Rademeyer for the photographs.