The ISU fight song has been radiating through the night air for weeks as more than 15 groups have been practicing for the annual Homecoming spirit competition.

Yell-Like-Hell is a competition where various groups act out skits related to school pride and Homecoming’s theme, “Exploring Our Cyclone Family Pride.”

“It’s the real spirit part of homecoming – a way for students to show their school spirit in skits,” said Mark Ringkob, member of the Student Alumni Leadership Council. The council, along with Homecoming Central, is organizing the event.

Ringkob, junior in agronomy, said each Yell-Like-Hell group includes about 50 to 75 participants. Traditionally, he said, many of those groups are composed of fraternities and sororities, but the organizers are trying to get the number of residence hall participants to increase.

“We try to encourage as many student groups as possible to participate,” he said.

The first round of competition will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday in the parking lots north of Jack Trice Stadium.

Clint Brown, member of Alpha Gamma Rho, 201 Gray Ave., said his group increased their practices to three hours a night this week to prepare for first cuts. His fraternity is paired with Kappa Kappa Gamma, 120 Lynn Ave., and Kappa Sigma, 237 Ash Ave. “The coaches and co-chairs meet for about an extra hour on top of that to go over any improvement we think we can make on the skit,” said Brown, junior in agricultural business.

Sadie Kohlhaas, one of the coaches for Alpha Gamma Delta, 2118 Sunset Drive, said her group has been practicing for two hours a night since Sept. 10. Alpha Gamma Delta is paired with Phi Beta Chi, B6 Memorial Union, Delta Tau Delta, 2121 Sunset Drive and Phi Kappa Theta, 2110 Lincoln Way.

“It’s called Yell-Like-Hell because one of the main things you’re judged on is yelling at the top of your lungs at all times,” said Kohlhass, junior in marketing.

In the second and third rounds, groups are judged on their costumes as well. In the first round, groups are judged on creativity, performance and loudness of the yelling. Eight groups will be chosen this Sunday to advance to the second round, which will be Wednesday at the Campanile, Ringkob said.