HOMECOMING FAMU STYLE

[williamjackson]

HOMECOMING FAMU STYLE

There is nothing that compares
to a HBCU Homecoming. It is
more than just a football game;
it is a family gathering, soul food
extravaganza, community fellowship,
youth inspiration for the excitement
of college, Battle of the Bands
showdown and in some ways a
spiritual experience
covering generations of families.
The beginning of Homecoming starts well before the game;
it is a weeklong celebration capitulation.  Surrendering to
the rich beat of continuous music, the enjoyment of food
ranging from traditional Bar B Que to cultural dishes of
African, Caribbean meals and down home Southern cuisines.

This year’s FAMU Homecoming was no different than pasts,
a sea of orange and green with Alumni from all parts of this
great county displaying the characteristic pride of Rattlers
who successfully graduated from this historic HBCU of
Tallahassee, Florida. Current students participating in week
long events from fraternity and sorority step/stomp shows to
the inclusion of cultural events.

Attending with my son who is a sophomore at FAMU I
witnessed the pride in the eyes that were in attendance.
The smiles that showed fond memories and the holding of
hands of our seasoned seniors dressed from head to toe with
orange and green attire. This is the power, excitement and
spirit of Homecoming at FAMU.

Highlighted this year the Alumni band and cheerleaders
entertained the thousands in attendance with “Ole Skool”
style dance moves, musical scores and “Drop It Like Its Hot”
grooves that brought standing ovations and wild cheers from
the crowd. This was just to warm up the crowd for the
internationally acclaimed FAMU Rattler Band to perform. 

Accompanying the band the Alumni cheerleaders both male
and female and outstanding Flag Team performed with
professionalism and style. Tumblers performed flips, twirls,
cartwheels and gymnastic feats that defied not only gravity,
but age. The saying “Old Skool is the New Skool” is an
understatement to the artistic and talented moves, grooves
and swagger of Alumni that did it in the past and can still can
“Drop It Like Its Hot” and pull it back up again without
missing a beat.

The fierceness of the Rattlers definitely had an effect on
the weather. Forecasted to rain, the clouds dared not drop
heavy precipitation to rainout this Homecoming for fear of
the Rattlers legendary bite, and I’m sure there were many
prayers that made a big difference as well.

What should not be overlooked was the HBCU respect and
fellowship that is found at HBCU Homecomings.  No matter
what school or the competition, HBCU’s always show respect
that is given and respect that is accepted. This is what
creates treasured memories for graduates of HBCU’s across
this country. They create traditions that generations follow
in attendance, that motivate families to send their children
to HBCU’s to receive a quality and culturally empowering
education.

I’m a graduate of South Carolina State University and my
son is a student at Florida A&M University, by fiancée’s son
Daryl is a graduate of FAMU and now working on his Master's
at FAMU.

When time comes for my daughter to attend college she
too will attend an HBCU for the quality education that it
provides and “real world” education that prepares it’s graduates
not only to compete on national and international levels,
but to be successful in life and look back to help others up
the ladders of career successes.

The football game was awesome, entertaining and electrifying,
but Homecoming is more than a game it is a feeling, a tradition
and if a person goes away without a spiritual connection of
some kind they have missed the bonding and fellowshipping.
This fellowship will be with those in attendance for years if
not a lifetime and grows each year families come back to
experience a Homecoming.

More pictures at: http://photobucket.com/famuhomecoming

William Jackson, M.Ed.
FAMU Homecoming 2011

[thelakelander]

As a FAMU graduate myself, there is nothing like a HBCU homecoming or classic.  It one of the main things I miss about not being in Tallahassee anymore.  With that said, I had an opportunity to attend EWC's homecoming game a few weeks back and really enjoyed it.  Smaller scale, but same culture, foods, experience, excitement and it's right here in Jacksonville.

[Traveller]

Has there ever been an attempt to get the Florida Classic here for a couple of years, maybe permanently?  Everbank Field is certainly nicer than the Citrus Bowl and considerably closer to Tallahassee (only a half hour farther from Daytona).  Since we don't have the ACC Championship or River City Showdown anymore, the Florida Classic would be a good way to bring more sports tourists to the area.

[duvaldude08]

Has there ever been an attempt to get the Florida Classic here for a couple of years, maybe permanently?  Everbank Field is certainly nicer than the Citrus Bowl and considerably closer to Tallahassee (only a half hour farther from Daytona).  Since we don't have the ACC Championship or River City Showdown anymore, the Florida Classic would be a good way to bring more sports tourists to the area.

To be completely honest, it costs them most less to use the Citrus bowl. Everbank field may be to large. Ive been to the Classic several times. If you dont remember, for years BCC had a game here every labor day weekend, I think it was the Gateway Classic. But the problem was the city was letting them use the stadium for free. And after 2006, we told them that we would have to charge and thus that was the end of that.

[thelakelander]

I believe there was an attempt a few years back but that game has more to do with other things than stadium conditions.

[fieldafm]

Has there ever been an attempt to get the Florida Classic here for a couple of years, maybe permanently?  Everbank Field is certainly nicer than the Citrus Bowl and considerably closer to Tallahassee (only a half hour farther from Daytona).  Since we don't have the ACC Championship or River City Showdown anymore, the Florida Classic would be a good way to bring more sports tourists to the area.

To be completely honest, it costs them most less to use the Citrus bowl. Everbank field may be to large. Ive been to the Classic several times. If you dont remember, for years BCC had a game here every labor day weekend, I think it was the Willie Gary Classic? But the problem was the city was letting them use the stadium for free. And after 2006, we told them that we would have to charge and thus that was the end of that.

That's pretty much right.  Except that the city was actually covering the losses from the game.

The JU/BCC game originally scheduled to be played at Everbank was also cancelled a few years back for financial reasons and moved to BCC's campus.

[duvaldude08]

I believe there was an attempt a few years back but that game has more to do with other things than stadium conditions.

What other locations have they used? I know theyve had in Tampa before. But they have been settled in Orlando for over 10 years now.

[Jaimen]

I did the unthinkable this year. I left tally for homecoming (free with my student ID) and went to Halloween Horror Nights ($80)...SMH i'll never do it again, the lines were ridiculously long. Plus to make it worst, it rained all day non-stop in Orlando that weekend.

[manasia]

I am going to homecoming next year. I had put it off, because I was at Occupy Jacksonville. But their is nothing like FAMU Homecoming. I am not even a FAMU graduate, and they show me love.

[ThisDJ]

Love being at Homecoming...   I'm af FAMU alumni and my son is currently there in school. 

I missed it this year because FAMU moved it up for some reason, but I would love the school or even our rivals BCC (Old school rattlers will always call you guys BCC!!!) to have a classic game here in Jacksonville.

In high school, music was my thing and I was set on going to Berkley school of music or Famu (because of the band).  So of course when my parents saw the tuition for Berkley....   FAMU became the only choice....  LOL.

The games are also great recruitment tools, and lord knows the kids in this area need to see positive things like HBCU students, bands, frats, etc...