Lise Welch first experienced a University of Idaho homecoming when her sister, who is seven years older, first attended the university.
Now a junior, Welch said she enjoys sharing the homecoming spirit with others.
“Personally, I really love homecoming,” Welch said. “It’s really a week to show our pride for the university.”
Welch, the Homecoming Committee assistant chair, said despite the many activities of the week, it can be difficult for students with busy schedules to be involved in homecoming. She said the idea behind one event, the Olympic Time Trials, serves as a potential solution to that problem.
The time trials are a part of the larger homecoming event, Olympic Village, that is being held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Idaho Commons Plaza. Welch said students can test their skills in an inflatable obstacle course, capture quick homecoming memories in the photo booth, grab a treat from the shaved ice stand or play a minute-to-win-it time trial game between classes.
“It’s going to be like three or four minute-to-win-it games,” Welch said. “We have a bunch of candy, we’ve made gold, silver and bronze medals to hand out to everyone.”
The event was originally a stand-alone series of competitions that was going to be held Tuesday night. Welch said they decided to combine it with the homecoming promotional event to make it easier for students to participate.
“Not everyone gets a chance to compete in homecoming because they’re busy,” Welch said. “All they have to do is give a minute to play a game and check out the promotional event.”
Welch said the location of the event also makes it easier for students to stop by and be involved.
“I like it because a lot of students are really busy and don’t always get to participate — the fact that we’re in the center of campus makes it easier for them to get their little piece of homecoming,” Welch said.
In addition to providing busy students with a chance to be involved, Evan Barton, the Homecoming Committee public relations chair, said the time trials add more excitement to the overall promotional event and help students build their school spirit through quick, fun competitions.
“The promotional event is a big event on campus, but not a lot of people are able to go to it,” Barton said. “We thought if we tried to implement something like the time trials, if we included other events, more students would want to be a part of this grander event.”
The competitions will alternate throughout the day. Barton said one example of the minute-to-win-it games is the red Solo cup competition, where plastic cups are set up in stacks and students try to knock them down with rubber bands.
Despite the competition behind the challenges, Welch said the day is ultimately about fostering Vandal pride and helping students slip into the homecoming mood.
“It’s not a day not based off of competition,” Welch said. “It’s based on Vandal pride and that we’re happy to go to the U of I.”
Corrin Bond
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