The Origin of Homecoming: A Debate Rooted in Collegiate History

At the heart of American university tradition lies the practice of homecoming, an event beloved by students, alumni, and communities alike. The University of Missouri claims to be the birthplace of this cherished custom, dating back to 1911, when football coach and athletic director Chester Brewer invited former students to “come home” to see the Tigers compete. Missouri’s version of homecoming involves a parade, a talent competition, a spirit rally, and other alumni-focused activities. “We’re very fortunate to have the sort of buy-in that we have from our community,” said Todd McCubbin, executive director of the Mizzou Alumni Association.

However, the narrative that Missouri pioneered homecoming is contested by several other institutions. Historical records point to a 1909 “Home-Coming” weekend at Baylor University as a potential precursor, which included a football game, parade, pep rally, and bonfire. According to Dr. Elizabeth Rivera, Baylor’s university archivist, “It’s documented here that human nature doesn’t change over time, and they were doing the same things that we still do today for meaning-making and traditions.”

The University of Illinois also stakes a claim with a 1910 event initiated by students who proposed shifting alumni gatherings to the fall to coincide with a football game. Ryan Ross, director of history and traditions programs for the Illinois Alumni Association, highlights that this initiative was seen as the origination of the homecoming format, predicting its widespread adoption during the early 20th century. “For more than a century, there’s been this idea that we created homecoming,” Ross noted.

Further complicating the matter is the University of Michigan‘s “Alumni Games” which began in the 1890s. While these events mirrored homecoming components, Michigan did not formally adopt the term “homecoming” until 1947. Northern Illinois University, similarly, had early versions of the event which lacked a modern competitive aspect until 1914.

The national debate over the source of the homecoming tradition underscores the fluid nature of where and how traditions begin. McCubbin remarked on Missouri’s enduring celebration, “It’s the biggest weekend of the year in Columbia, by far. Everything else pales in comparison.” Despite the uncertainty surrounding its origin, homecoming remains a significant tradition across American educational institutions.