Remembering East Carolina Homecomings
This article describes East Carolina Homecomings, 1932-1994. This and other articles may be found in the records of the Chancellor's Office, Record Group CH1050, Series 1, Scrapbook File, 1914-1978 in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: Kammerer, Roger. "Remembering East Carolina Homecomings," Greenville Times, October 26, 1994.
Homecoming at East Carolina is a cherished tradition full of fun, remembrance and pride. Let’s take a brief glimpse back at a few homecomings past.
Homecoming can be traced back to the first Founders Day, which was celebrated at East Carolina Teachers College on March 5, 1932. Many Alumni returned for the occasion, including 5 of the original 11 faculty members. This celebration, in the form of a homecoming, took place thereafter every year on the Saturday closest to March 8, the day on which the school was founded in 1907. There were no sporting events or parades associated with these early homecomings until 1936.
The first Homecoming to include sports was celebrated at ECTC on Nov. 20, 1936. The day began with morning programs followed by a barbeque dinner, then an afternoon game of football followed by an evening dance. This was a pattern for homecomings yet to come.
In the fall of 1939, Homecoming was held off until March 9, 1940, in order that Gov. Clyde R. Hoey could dedicate the E.G. Flanagan building in connection with the event. A basketball game was held in Wright Auditorium after which there was an alumni dance.
The Homecoming of March 18, 1941 included the addition of a parade before the game, which has become one of the highlights of the whole weekend.
ECTC didn’t have a Homecoming after 1941 until Spring of 1946, because most of the boys had gone to war. The Homecoming of May 4, 1946 was known as "Veterans Homecoming and May Day," to honor all the alumni for ECTC who had served in the armed force.
The first annual Homecoming after the war was held on Nov. 8, 1947. The football game was held at Guy Smith Stadium. The second after-the war Homecoming was held on Oct. 16, 1948. On the Thursday night before the game there was a mammoth pep rally and bonfire, followed by a torchlight parade through downtown Greenville. On Friday night another parade was held downtown, led by the cheerleaders and marching band wearing their new purple and gold uniforms.
And again, the Homecoming weekend festivities began following a pattern. There were pep rallies, bonfires, and dances. There were also receptions, parades and theatrical productions during the weekend.
The Homecoming football game of Oct. 8, 1949 was held in the new College Stadium on East Campus which was dedicated during the first game of the season. After the game a reception was held at the new President’s House on Fifth Street, which was purchased the previous summer.
The Homecoming of Oct. 14, 1950 saw the first appearance of a towering paper-mache Pirate called "Captain Teco," symbolic of the schools spirit. It was the center of attention for many festivities to come. In August 1952, the summer school government presented the school its first mascot, a Great Dane, which was named "Buc." The "big dog" was carried everywhere to represent the school’s "tough spirit."
The highlight of the Homecoming of Oct. 10, 1953 was the crowning of the first Homecoming Queen. The first queen, Mrs. Kitty Gerringer Brinson of Draper, N.C. was chosen by the student body. Also, the Veterans Club presented a "victory bell" as a symbol of athletic victory at East Carolina. It was dedicated to the students in military service during World War II and the Korean Conflict, the bell now sits on the west side of Christenbury Gym.
The Homecoming weekend of Oct. 16, 1954 was nearly ruined by Hurricane Hazel, but blew off on Game Day and everything proceeded as planned.
The 50th Anniversary of the school was celebrated during the Homecoming of Oct. 12, 1957, but the most unforgettable Homecoming was held on Oct. 7, 1961. The theme of the weekend was "Dixie Days," to commemorate the centennial observance of the Civil War. On the Friday night before, the school allowed its first "Rock and Roll" concert on campus. On Saturday everyone was dressed in antebellum costumes, including the college president Leo W. Jenkins, clad as a Confederate officer.
The Homecoming of Oct. 20, 1962 was threatened by a hurricane, included a nationally known star, and was the beginning of a new era for football. The festivities of 1962 included as master of ceremonies Frank Gorshin, the comedian and actor, latter known for his portrayal of the "Riddler" in the Batman television series. The Homecoming game was the last to be held in the old College Stadium, it being held next year in the new James S. Ficklen Memorial Stadium . The whole event was threatened by Hurricane Ella which luckily held off until after the celebrating had ended.
The highlight of the Homecoming weekend of Sept. 21, 1963 was the special appearance of Gov. Terry Sanford at the football game. Also, the school used this time to show off its new "electronic computer" in the basement of the Austin building.
The Homecoming of Nov. 14, 1964 is remembered as being special for two reasons. This event marked the first time the Homecoming Queen was crowned during halftime ceremonies, instead of the night before. Also at halftime, East Carolina’s then undefeated and untied football team, the Pirates of 1942, known as the Christenbury team, were honored. Twenty-one of the original 35 teammates came back to their alma mater to pay tribute to Coach John B. Christenbury , here from 1940- 1943, who was killed in the Navy in 1944.
The next successive Homecoming weekends were highlighted by big-name entertainers such as The Letterman (1963), Ray Charles (1964), The Platters (1965), The Four Seasons (1966), The Happenings (1967), Paul Anka (1968), Dionne Warwick (1969), Jethro Tull (1971), and Stevie Wonder and the Beach Boys (1972).
So many years have gone by, such good times have been a part of our college life. As East Carolina’s proud alumni return to Greenville for Homecoming 1994, the fun, excitement and tradition of old returns with them.
