Practices have begun for an ISU Homecoming tradition – Yell Like Hell.

The first practice, on Sept. 10, was the first in the screaming career of freshman Cheri Fenton, a member of Alpha Delta Pi, 2125 Greeley St.

Practices are held from 9 to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, she said. Fenton, freshman in liberal arts and sciences, developed positive opinions of the activity during that first practice.

“It seemed like a lot of fun. Our house and the two frats we’re with seemed to have a great time,” she said.

Yell Like Hell coordinator Laura Luymes, a member of Gamma Phi Beta, 318 Pearson Ave., said most participants in the event are affiliated with the greek system, though being in the greek community is not a requirement.

She said there will be two categories for competition: traditional and improvisation.

“Traditional is a collaborative skit of chants and cheers with a theme and the fight song,” Luymes said. Teams in the traditional division rehearse and practice during the scheduled practice times.

Teams performing improvisation do not rehearse. Instead, those interested come the first day of cuts. The teams draw a theme and have an hour to come up with a skit.

“I am really hoping for a big pull in the improv division outside of [the] greek [community],” Luymes said.

She said the top three teams in both divisions will have a chance to show off their talent at the Homecoming pep rally on Oct. 11.

This is the fourth year Luymes has been in the competition. She was a participant her freshman year and a co-chairwoman who made up the skit for her team during her sophomore year. During her junior year, Luymes worked on Cy-Squad and the Homecoming planning committee, helping to monitor Yell Like Hell. She is finishing her Yell Like Hell career as the coordinator.

“Yell Like Hell is so fun for the participants because it’s a great way to meet new people and show your school spirit,” she said.

Britt Murphy, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, 228 Gray Ave., said he has been a Yell Like Hell coach for three years.

“It’s fun because it gets people involved, like sometimes sororities and fraternities are paired, or dorm floors are, and it allows them to get to know each other,” said Murphy, senior in apparel merchandising, design and production.

He also said there is more to practice than just having fun. “It’s strenuous work, every night for two hours,” Murphy said. “After the first practice, my voice was shot.”

But he said that’s the point. “We want everybody yelling as loud as they can every practice.”