A plain, white strip of pavement was transformed into a mass of swirling colors by students who wanted to show just how much they love the cardinal and gold of Iowa State.

Last Sunday, 30 groups, organizations and school clubs went to Jack Trice Stadium to paint Victory Lane.

Victory Lane was started about 14 years ago and quickly became an annual tradition.

Kate Halling, sponsorship coordinator for Homecoming Central and a junior in psychology, said each group or organization is given a four-by-four-foot area to work with. They are given chalk to outline the drawing and then given paint to fill in their sketches.

Each painting is supposed to showcase the Homecoming theme, “Exploring Our Cyclone Family Pride.”

Matt Anderson, junior in computer engineering and one of the sponsorship coordinators for Homecoming Central, said Victory Lane is a unique tradition.

“This is one of the few events that ISU can call theirs,” he said. “I don’t know of any other schools that do this and I think that it is awesome that we have this tradition.”

Anderson is also the treasurer of the Motorcycle Club, which painted a square to support the Cyclones and advertise the club.

Halling, junior in psychology, also stressed that this year they tried to get groups other than those in the greek system to go to Victory Lane. She said she was very proud of the fact that so many non-greek groups came out this year.

Kari Shields, sophomore in chemistry and one of the painters for Miller House in Oak-Elm, said, “This is a great way to show your school spirit without going to games,” as she was putting the final touches on the Charlie’s Angels silhouette that she was painting. Under the Angels were the words Mission NOT Impossible 6-1.

The French Club was also out and about at Victory Lane showing its school spirit.

The club members showcased French culture in their square in an attempt to draw attention to their club.

Genevieve Johnson, president of the club and a sophomore in English, said the French Club was able to help despite its size.

“It was fun to be a part of the Homecoming experience considering we are such a small club,” she said.