Homecoming is the celebration of alumni and students. Establishing a connection between the alumni and the University was the first step in celebrating the relationship.
The University of Minnesota was found in 1851. In the very first years, it made sense that without alumni, there would be no Homecoming. The parties on campus were for students by sudents.
The development of Homecoming can seen through the Minnesota Alumni Association or “General Alumni Association".
Before the Alumni Association, fraternities were the most common link between alumni and university.
- Chi Psi was the first fraternity at the University of Minnesota established in 18742
- The Minnesota Alumni Association was created in 1881, becoming another link between former and current students3
The Gopher yearbook of 1889 was dedicated to the alumni, mentioning that the alumni are now more than 300 people. The pages specifically dedicated to the alumni talk about them in high regards and refer to them as “the sons and daughters of the U of M". The pages were signed, "Future Alumnus".4
The praise and honoring of the alumni led to the first Homecoming in 1914.
The First of Many
On November 14, 1914 was the first official homecoming. The most appealing football game on the schedule was against the University of Wisconsin Badgers at Northrop Field. Gophers won by a score of 14-3.5
Although the game had a good turnout, the activities were a flop.6
- There was low attendance at the Alum banquet and the Homecoming dance. The few people that went consisted of alumni and faculty
- The student responsible for the initiation of Homecoming, Cyprus Kaufman, had insufficient funds for activities
- The problem derived from President Vincent not approving of the button-selling fundraiser idea
- The dean of Law reversed President Vincent's decision and allowed button-selling
Despite the issues with the Homecoming activities, it was decided that an annual program will be arranged to honor Alumni on the day of the most attractive football game on schedule.
