Despite the inconsistent weather and days filled with flu-like symptoms, fall is settling in quite nicely. The leaves are turning brilliant colors and dropping from the trees while the days seem to be getting shorter and colder. However, that's not what calls attention to the biggest weekend of the term. As you peruse your Facebook newsfeed today, you'll start noticing Dartmouth alumni posting statuses like, "So excited for this weekend!" and, "Only four more days of work before I go back home!" Now you realize: Homecoming weekend is just a few days away.
Homecoming is about Dartmouth pride and its traditions, which of course go hand in hand. Just ask every '15 who bought the classic class year shirt from the Dartmouth Co-op for the sole purpose of wearing it when running around the bonfire (although it seems like freshmen never change out of it during their first four to five days on campus either). Nevertheless, the shirt represents Dartmouth pride, and the bonfire is one of the greatest traditions we have.
While many Dartmouth students will say that Green Key is the best weekend of the year, Homecoming is a close second. There are many reasons why this is the case:
Football
Well, it appears that I was wrong. Unfortunately, my bold prediction that the football team would finish with a record of 7-3 is no longer possible, as the team finds itself with a record of 1-4. Perhaps it was all the preseason fan fare that has led the Big Green to a disappointing first half of the season, but there is still time for this team to turn its season around.
The football team reminds me of that quarterback you targeted in your fantasy football draft because of all the preseason hype, but who is now frustrating you ever so much due to his substandard play. But it's not yet time to panic because Sam Bradford I mean, the Dartmouth football team can still salvage the season. And what's a good time to start the turnaround? This Saturday, when the Big Green takes on Columbia in the Homecoming game.
Last year, Dartmouth beat Columbia, 24-21, and the Big Green has a chance to notch a victory this weekend and start a winning streak. The Lions are winless this season and just lost their homecoming game to Penn. This is a great opportunity for the Dartmouth community to attend the game and cheer for a Big Green team that just needs some momentum.
Alumni
These poor souls have been working in the corporate world while we enjoy everything Dartmouth has to offer. It is their one chance this term to return to their alma mater and sleep on a fraternity or sorority couch. They will probably start trickling into Hanover on Wednesday and Thursday, and the majority of them will arrive on Friday in time to crash their respective house's tails.
Having alumni around this weekend is a great way to network and get more information about that consulting firm you're trying to get an interview with, if that's your prerogative. But the best part of welcoming alumni back to campus is that they are looking to play some serious amounts of pong. Set your alarm early, kids, because these older, wiser, yet equally immature alumni will be setting up pong tables in the dawning hours of the day. Just make sure not to lose to any alums, because that would be terribly embarrassing for you.
Bonfire
The bonfire is definitely a staple of this weekend. After a week of painting planks of wood and assembling the bonfire, it is finally set ablaze on Friday evening. Freshmen run around while everyone stands around and yells at them in a very loving and non-critical way. Upperclassmen like telling the freshmen to touch the fire, which at first may seem like a funny idea, but the whole you-might-have-third-degree-burns thing is quite a deterrent. Regardless, the bonfire is an experience that gets better as your Dartmouth career progresses, so be sure to at least make a cameo appearance this year.
I have so many memories from the Homecoming weekends I have been a part of, and I'm fairly certain you do (or soon will), too. Make new memories this year by going to the bonfire, attending the football game, playing pong at noon and ordering EBAs with alumni circa 2 a.m.
