Homecoming week faces challenges, Lumberjack pride pulls through

SFA celebrated its 99th homecoming with a ‘Game On’ theme last week. Due to unforeseen circumstances, many homecoming events were cancelled or changed. Celebrations, however, still took place. 

AXEperience planned to kick off the homecoming festivities with the annual dyeing of Surfin’ Steve’s water on Monday. However, due to rain, they moved the kickoff event to the Grand Ballroom in the Baker Pattillo Student Center. There, students voted on homecoming court and played games, including a life-sized “Guess Who?” game. Students enjoyed corn dogs, soft pretzels and drinks provided by Student Activities Association. Surfin’ Steve was dyed purple the next day. 

The Student Recreation Center hosted a Mario Kart Rainbow Road 5k on Oct. 25. Participants ran either one mile or five kilometers, beginning at the Baker Pattillo Student Center and running throughout campus.

SFA fraternity and sorority life hosted the annual homecoming step show with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and show off presented by Canice 100k, a former student and social media influencer, on Oct. 26. Several sororities and fraternities competed in a stroll off dance competition to win up to $1,500 in prizes for their organization. In the end, Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity Inc. came out with the win. 

The SFA community received an email from Dr. Brandon Frye, vice president of student affairs, on Wednesday that said all events planned for Oct. 28, including the drone show and concert, had been canceled due to “increasing chances of inclement weather.”

The winners of the homecoming court were announced via livestream on official SFA social media pages on Oct. 28. President Dr. Steve Westbrook announced the winners for freshman, sophomore, junior and senior court, as well as the homecoming king and queen. 

Colbie Balsamo, junior mass communications major from Celina, said that when she won the junior homecoming court, it was a surreal experience. 

“I got pure joy from winning. It was such a huge honor to me,” Balsamo said. “It was all I could have ever asked for.”

Balsamo, as well as the 10 other homecoming court winners, were featured in the homecoming parade that took place downtown Saturday morning. This parade was the introduction to both the volleyball and football games that took place later that day. The volleyball team played a three-game tournament against New Mexico State University and won 3-0. The football team faced off against Utah Tech and after a super tight game, eventually lost with a score of 44-47, ending the homecoming festivities. 

“Despite the many challenges we faced this last week, memories were made, and experiences were had,” Lacey Folsom, director of student engagement, said. “We hoped that students enjoyed their time regardless.” 

Folsom said the University has heard the students' concerns and would look to reschedule the concert. 

“We know students were disappointed in the cancellation, especially those who are seniors,” Folsom said. “We are looking at the possibility of doing a spring concert as a way to reschedule.”