Homecoming is an essential part of the fall experience for millions of high schoolers, including those in the Flint Hill Upper School—a week of spirit days, a big football game, and a highly anticipated dance. However, the tradition didn’t start there. Our beloved high school tradition actually began over a century ago as a reunion effort as well as an essential alumni fundraising on college campuses, establishing that competitive American spirit and a simple invitation to “come home.”
Who Started It?
The origin of the homecoming celebration has yet to be disputed as several universities in the Midwest and the south have tried to claim the title of “first.”
The Texas school Baylor University held a “Good Will Week” in November 1909 to reconnect with alumni, featuring a parade, a concert, and a football game. Although, it did not become a tradition until later.
The University of Illinois lays claim to the longest continuously celebrated annual homecoming, which began in October 1910. It was conceived by two seniors who wanted to boost alumni engagement, and it included rallies, a campus decoration contest, and a football game.
The University of Missouri is often given the most widespread credit for formalizing the event. In 1911, Athletic Director Chester Brewer invited all alumni to “come home” for the annual football game against rival University of Kansas. The event was a massive success, drawing over 9,000 attendees and establishing a blueprint that included the game, a parade, and rallies.
While the exact origin is contested, this concept of formally centering an alumni reunion around a fall football game truly took hold and spread by the 1920s.
When did we make the transition?
As the popularity of the college event exploded in the 1910s and 1920s, high schools across America began to adopt and adapt the concept. The reasons were similar to those of the universities: to build school spirit, engage with local communities including alumni, students, family, and friends, and celebrate the school’s history.
Flint Hill and Homecoming
High schools including Flint Hill have adopted aspects of the original college event. This includes:
- A football game which often includes facing off against a rival school, fostering a competitive atmosphere that brings in the community.
- A pep rally where students engage in small activities, see the dance club perform, and more.
- A formal dance where students can interact and kick off the school year on an exciting note.
Today, the high school homecoming celebration remains a cherished blend of old collegiate tradition and modern student culture, continuing to serve its primary purpose: bringing the entire community together to celebrate what it means to belong to the school. Flint Hill itself has made the event their own by including other sports, forming a spirit alley where students can create booths with their clubs, earn service hours, and sell Flint Hill merch!
