USA’s First Football Homecoming

Alabama Mobile The celebration came complete with a bonfire and Miss America.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Fri, November 06, 2009 - 9:49 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, November 06, 2009 - 10:29 pm CST

MOBILE, Alabama - First came the football program, then the band, and Friday, the University of South Alabama held its first football homecoming celebration.
The night sky over the USA campus was lit up as the school held a bonfire and pep rally for Saturday's homecoming football game against Milford Academy.
Miss America, Katie Stam, even joined in the festivities.
Stam told the crowd of dozens of fans, "I'm not too much older than you guys, so I feel like I could just take my crown off, jump right down there, and celebrate with you."
It was part of USA's first football and band homecoming.
Student Hannah Skewes said, "I think its great for a first year. They did a great job of making it all happen."
Another USA student, Rachel Penton, said, "Its fantastic. Its really exciting to see the first homecoming ever. I'm really excited about it."
Student Brittany English said, "It's amazing. I'm so excited. It's going to be fun tomorrow, tail gating and everything."
And what would homecoming be without a parade?
A lot of student organizations and other groups took part.
The parade included floats, throws, and the homecoming court.
It was a combination of football and Mardi Gras.
One parade-goer said, "I'm happy for the first South Alabama Jaguar parade. I was overjoyed."
The parade, pep rally, and bonfire were part of a week long celebration called First and Ten : A Tradition Begins.
The homecoming celebrations continue Saturday with tail gating at Ladd Peebles Stadium at 10 am before the Jags face off with Milford Academy at 4pm.

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