While the faculty strike halted most classes on Wednesday, Oct. 19 until Friday, Oct. 21, this year’s “Golden Games” themed homecoming festivities remained underway. On the same day the strike began, WCU’s Homecoming Twitter page stated, “Homecoming events will still happen regardless of the strike!”
Several events took place during the week leading up to the big event, including Olympics in the academic quad on Monday, Oct. 17, a “Who Killed Rammy” Clue Night on Tuesday, Oct. 18, a pep rally sponsored by the Black Student Union on Wednesday, Oct. 19, laser tag on Thursday, Oct. 20 and Sykes After Dark Bingo on Friday, Oct. 21.
Sykes Student Union was also decorated with banners representing various clubs and organizations on campus in preparation for homecoming weekend.
Kicking off the festivities was the homecoming parade beginning on Church Street and Rosedale Avenue in West Chester at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22. Clubs and organizations paraded around the university’s campus in celebration.
The WCU Dance Team won first place in the parade dance-off, with Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Xi Delta taking second place. Phi Gamma Delta and Alpha Sigma Alpha received third place.
New to this year’s homecoming events was a Pre-Game Food Truck Festival taking place at the R Lot on South Campus. Children 17 years and younger were admitted for free, while those older than 17paid an entrance fee of $5. The pre-game event included snacks and beverages.
Six food trucks were in attendance, including The Flying Deutschman, Natalie’s Fine Foods, Abuelita’s Empanadas, Dia Dolce, Local Delights and Tropical Homemade Ice Cream. The event also included live music by Brent Christopher Pelleschi ’98, moon bounces, a photo booth truck, games, face painting, the Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels and more.
Following the Pre-Game Food Truck Festival was the WCU football game with Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, which took place at the WCU Farrell Stadium on South campus. WCU defeated visiting Cheyney 46-12.
During the game’s halftime, Tori Williamson, a senior and sister of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and Ryan Brown, a senior and brother of Pi Kappa Phi, were crowned Homecoming Queen and King.
Homecoming festivities continued with the community-wide Adopt-a-Block and breakfast at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, an event that brings together students, faculty, staff and alumni to clean up the community.
The event began at the Sykes Student Union lobby and was sponsored by the West Chester University Alumni Association. It was free to all attending and took place rain or shine.
Rachael Wentz is a fourth-year communications studies major. She can be reached at RW781262@wcupa.edu.