 "Photo: Ayelet Daniel")
 "Photo: Ayelet Daniel")
University graduates young and old braved the rain and came together this weekend for football, food and fun during this year’s Homecoming festivities.
Events held throughout the weekend included brunches hosted by university colleges, a Black Alumni Organization dance and the class of 1959 reunion dinner, but the highlight for many was Saturday’s football game at Delaware Stadium against James Madison University.
Thousands of students and alumni, many in costume, came out to the football stadium Saturday morning to tailgate before the noon kickoff, taking time to meet up with old friends and reminisce.
For some, like Brea McMillen who graduated last spring, it was the first time coming back to the university as an alumna.
McMillen said she was excited to come back for Homecoming to meet up with friends she has not seen since graduation, but found visiting the university as an alumna a bittersweet experience.
“I love UD. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” McMillen said. “But coming back makes me miss it so much.”
She said she was also curious to see what would happen when Homecoming and Halloween were combined.
“I was skeptical at first because I thought people would go a little crazy, but it’s been really good,” McMillen said. “People seem to really be having fun with it.”
For others, like class of ’77 alumnus Bill Kearns, this year’s homecoming was one of many attended throughout a lifetime.
Kearns said he has returned to the same tailgate spot every year since graduation to celebrate Homecoming and has watched the university change and expand year by year.
“It was much more of a party institution when I was here. Of course I was here in the mid-seventies, which was a good time for that,” he said. “I think it’s grown in terms of its academic stature and how it’s viewed outside of Delaware. I don’t think anybody when I was here would have called it an academic powerhouse.”
Trudy Strusowski, class of ’82 alumna, added that the university has not only grown in stature, but in size.
“Back in the Dark Ages it was a lot smaller,” she said. “It’s a lot, lot bigger now.”
Strusowski, dressed in a Halloween sweater, said she was enjoying the unique atmosphere of the day.
“I think it’s fun to see everyone’s themed tailgates and everyone dressed up,” she said. “It’s something very different than previous years.”
Jeff Moyer, a ’91 graduate, said he and his family members were also looking forward to spending Halloween in Newark until the weather set in.
“We were going to bring costumes and stay for trick-or-treating, but because of the rain we didn’t,” Moyer said.
While the rain deterred his family from getting festive, Moyer said he was happy to see the rain did not seem to stop people from coming out to the game.
“I think it’s a great atmosphere, given the weather,” he said. “People seem fired up.”
With thousands of people trafficking through three parking lots full of tents, tables, and trucks, at least one alumnus was overwhelmed with the morning’s festivities.
Michael Nash, an ’08 graduate school alumnus, said it was his first time at a university football game and he was not impressed with the setup of the tailgate.
“I think the way they have everyone crowded here is just a terrible idea,” he said.”Everyone’s so close.
Despite the rain and the tight quarters, many alumni relished the opportunity to relive their glory days.
Strusowski said she and her family enjoy coming to the game because they get to experience all the things they miss most about college.
“College was all about the football,” she said. “And the frat parties.”
Kearns said his college memories stick with him as some of the best in his life.
“I think my fondest memories were just the friends I made, the people I knew in my fraternity, stupid little things like sitting around chatting,” he said. “And of course, back then there were a lot of parties.”
Mike Fisher, class of ’02, said he enjoys attending Homecoming because it gives him a chance to join in the university camaraderie.
“The best days in college were always days like this when everybody comes together and has a good time,” Fisher said. “Everyone’s here for the same reason.”
Moyer added that the feeling of community is what keeps him coming back year after year.
“I love the football, love the atmosphere,” he said. “More than anything, I love the people.”
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