Homecoming week will take place from Nov. 9 to 16 and will include two new traditions.
Vice President of Traditions for the Student Events and Activities Board in the Office of Student Activities Lindsey Goldstein, senior education major, said the first new event is the Kick-Off Celebration party on Nov. 9 on the Alvin Sherman Library Quad. It will feature a zip line, two obstacle courses, including an inflatable one, and eight food trucks. Student organizations can participate in a banner contest, the winner of which will receive $100.
Goldstein said student organizations can also table at the event to promote themselves. Student organizations who wish to table at the Kick-Off must register by Nov. 8 at 12 p.m. They can either register at the Student Activities office or log in to OrgSync and then navigate to orgsync.com/39657/forms/83713.
Another new tradition is the Shark Rodeo, also at the Quad, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 12. Students can ride a mechanical shark, just like a mechanical bull ride. Free food will include carnival fare, such as snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn. Giveaways will include stickers that say “Shark pride” and sunglasses. Commuter students will have the chance to create their own stuffed shark toy, an activity hosted by Office of Commuter and Transfer Student Services.
Kelly Scott, junior athletic training major and Novelty Chair on the homecoming council, said Kappa Sigma will host a car bashing during the Shark Rodeo. The car will be painted with the colors of the West Liberty University, the Sharks’ rival at the homecoming game. Scott said students will have the opportunity to take a sledgehammer and damage the car.
The theme for Homecoming is “Shark Tales.” Goldstein said this is to celebrate NSU’s upcoming 50th anniversary and is meant to evoke “tales back in time.” The marketing poster for Homecoming features vintage items, including lava lamps, peace signs, cassette tapes, a Rubik’s cube and an old cell phone.
“It’s the story of becoming Sharks, the story of how we were two different universities, and now we’re the NSU Sharks,” Scott said.
Additionally, each event will have a retro theme. For example, Flight Deck Follies will be 80s themed, Shark Rodeo will be 60s themed and the Homecoming Bash will have a futuristic theme.
Other events are traditional NSU homecoming activities such as Flight Deck Follies, a male beauty competition; the Anything that Floats Raft Races, in which student organizations build their own rafts and race around Gold Circle Lake; the Game Day Pep Rally; and the Special Olympics 5K Run/Walk, co-hosted by Special Olympics Broward.
The last Homecoming event is the traditional Laugh Your Fins Off Comedy Show, featuring “21 Jump Street” star DeRay Davis. Scott said tickets are $5 and $10 before the event and $20 the day of the event and are available at the arena box office in the UC.
The annual Homecoming Bash will take place at the Passion Night Club at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Tickets for the dance are $10 but will be $15 the day of the dance. Goldstein said students must purchase their tickets ahead of time as tickets will not be sold at the door. Transportation will be provided via Shark Shuttle.
The first, second and third place winners of the raft race will not only receive $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively, but will also win free tickets to the Bash. Student organizations can sign up for the race by registering at the Student Activities office. The registration deadline is Nov. 8.
The culmination of Homecoming week will be Nov. 15 at the Sharks Homecoming Tailgate from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Shark Fountain, hosted by the Athletics Department, and the homecoming game at 6 p.m. in the UC Arena. The men’s basketball team will play against West Liberty University.
At the tailgate, students can enjoy free food and shoot basketballs. They can also enter a contest to win a $1,000 book scholarship for the winter 2014 semester. The winner will be announced at the homecoming game.
During halftime, the winners of homecoming court will be announced.
Scott said homecoming court is an NSU tradition that is fun for students who want to nominate their friends and students who would like to win.
“I think that’s a really cool thing that we do because a lot of other schools don’t do that, and I think it’s unique to us,” Scott said.
The nominees will campaign during a “Shark Tales” themed SEA Thursday, a biweekly event in the UC spine. All students can vote for nominees at the Student Activities’ site on OrgSync at orgsync.com/39657/chapter.
Students are invited to share their Shark pride on social media for a photo contest. To enter, students must post a photo to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #NSUHC2013. Goldstein said students may post as many photos as they want. The homecoming council will select a winner, who will receive a free ticket to SEA Board’s Florida Keys trip on April 5. Goldstein said the council is looking for campus pride and homecoming pride in the photos.
Goldstein said homecoming brings traditions to campus that brings the campus together.
“Times may change but traditions don’t, so it’s something that keeps NSU timeless,” Goldstein said.
Scott said she hopes students have fun at the homecoming events, meet new people and get to know NSU better.
“I hope that all of these events will help them realize how awesome NSU is,” Scott said. “I hope it helps them want to stay here at NSU for all four years and get more involved.”
To register for the raft race or purchase tickets for the Homecoming Bash, visit the Office of Student Activities on the first floor of the Don Taft University Center. For more information, contact Goldstein at lg785@nova.edu or call the Office of Student Activities at 954-262-7288.
