Spring Break
The Daily OrangeHomecoming at SU just as meaningless as high school
By Anna Brand
Posted: 11/17/05, 11:32 PM EST Section: Opinion
I thought I would be able to experience a new side of homecoming at Syracuse University, coming from a school where homecoming existed merely as a big formal high school dance, but no one actually attended the football game (if there even was one). I figured Syracuse's Homecoming Weekend would be one that I wouldn't want to miss as the SU is known for its school spirit and good sports teams. However, as I sat through the tiresome South Florida game, watching people too lazy to stand up and cheer, I realized that college homecoming is no more enthusiastic than the ones I saw the last four years.
While Syracuse's football team finished the season with a disappointing record, it was even more of a letdown to lose with a shutout during homecoming weekend. After South Florida's touchdown in the third quarter, masses of hopeless SU students migrated out of the Carrier Dome. I didn't see the spirit that I felt everyone had been waiting for all weekend.
"I expected it to be a much bigger deal with the alumni," said freshman Lucy Miller, an undecided student in The College of Arts and Sciences. "I didn't have a homecoming in my high school, so maybe I expected too much, but I just thought there would be more in-your-face spirit."
Homecoming wasn't a disaster; it just wasn't anything special. The party scene throughout the weekend was just like it is every weekend, without any of the anticipated excitement. Students seemed indifferent to the whole scene altogether. Maybe my expectations were a bit too high, but I just figured that Syracuse homecoming would be filled with more zeal. I didn't even know what was going on around campus, even though people had been talking about how there was so much to do.
"I heard from a lot of students and faculty, but I didn't hear much after that," said freshman fashion design major Christine Doherty. "A lot was advertised for it, but during the weekend I had no idea what was going on."
Syracuse, with all its alumni and students, did not provide the homecoming experience I pictured in my mind. I hope things change in the future and homecoming weekend can become a time of constant excitement rather than confusion and boredom.
While Syracuse's football team finished the season with a disappointing record, it was even more of a letdown to lose with a shutout during homecoming weekend. After South Florida's touchdown in the third quarter, masses of hopeless SU students migrated out of the Carrier Dome. I didn't see the spirit that I felt everyone had been waiting for all weekend.
"I expected it to be a much bigger deal with the alumni," said freshman Lucy Miller, an undecided student in The College of Arts and Sciences. "I didn't have a homecoming in my high school, so maybe I expected too much, but I just thought there would be more in-your-face spirit."
Homecoming wasn't a disaster; it just wasn't anything special. The party scene throughout the weekend was just like it is every weekend, without any of the anticipated excitement. Students seemed indifferent to the whole scene altogether. Maybe my expectations were a bit too high, but I just figured that Syracuse homecoming would be filled with more zeal. I didn't even know what was going on around campus, even though people had been talking about how there was so much to do.
"I heard from a lot of students and faculty, but I didn't hear much after that," said freshman fashion design major Christine Doherty. "A lot was advertised for it, but during the weekend I had no idea what was going on."
Syracuse, with all its alumni and students, did not provide the homecoming experience I pictured in my mind. I hope things change in the future and homecoming weekend can become a time of constant excitement rather than confusion and boredom.
Anna Brand is an undecided freshman in The College of Arts and Sciences. You can e-mail her at asbrand@syr.edu.
