OUR VIEW: Traditions supposed to be traditional

The phrase “USU Homecoming traditions” is close to becoming an oxymoron on campus. Typically, a tradition consists of something that is passed down – a set of customs or practices repeated year after year in accordance with a holiday or event. According to that definition, USU has very few solid Homecoming traditions.

Every year, new traditions are started for celebrating Homecoming Week, leaving no room for those traditions to take root before the next year comes around and we decide to make new ones again, much like the phenomenon of game day T-shirts.

Historically, Homecoming is an annual tradition among schools across the country, usually centered around a school event, such as a football game, to celebrate the beginning of another school year. Traditionally, though not as much anymore, graduates return to their alma maters for Homecoming to soak up the good memories. In other schools, Homecoming Week and the Homecoming football game rank up near Christmas on the level of participation and excitement.

With the exception of the paint on the roads, most students wouldn’t recognize Homecoming Week at USU from any other. Perhaps one reason for this is the fact that Homecoming is built around football, and at USU, events built around football don’t whip students into a frenzy of school spirit. But neither do the other events. The Homecoming royalty is nominated, but not noticed until the parade is held, which is also not attended, and the Homecoming dance has gone from semi-formal to best dress to canceled to casual and back around again.

A new Homecoming committee each year should not create a new version of Homecoming Week each year. How do you ever expect to keep a tradition if it is constantly changing? Traditions will only stay traditions if we allow them to do so. Good events make good traditions and good traditions will keep students coming back for more.