After 105 years, homecoming is still as rich in traditions at Iowa State as the time it began. However, these traditions, like the school itself, look different now than they did 20, 30 or even 50 years ago. See what some of the school’s favorite traditions looked long before 2017.

Homecoming Central Committee, 1977

The Homecoming Central Committee works to plan each event for the homecoming week and recruits members to help them plan and execute each event. The committee in 1977 had 15 members- the 2017 committee has 28.

Marching Band, 1987

The Iowa State Cyclone Marching Band performs with the color guard at every football game, a tradition that stands to this day, to every game.

Homecoming Central Committee, 1987

The Homecoming Central Committee works to plan each event for the homecoming week and recruits members to help them plan and execute each event. The committee in 1987 had 18 members- the 2017 committee has 28.

Game at Clyde Williams Field, 1957

Iowa State played Kansas State during the 1957 homecoming week. Clyde Williams Field was the original home of the Iowa State football team until 1975, when Jack Trice Stadium opened at the Iowa State Center. It was named for former coach and athletic director Clyde Williams after his death in 1938.

Pep Rally at Curtiss, 1977

The Homecoming Pep Rally once occurred on central campus on the lawn between and Curtiss and Beardshear Halls. During the 1970s and 1980s, the traditional bonfire became more of an occasional bonfire, and the traditional barbeque had ended and was replaced with tailgates before the homecoming game. Today, the pep rally takes place in the Alumni Center and is followed by a pancake feed and ExCYTEment in the Streets.

AKL and Delta Sig win Yell Like Hell, 1987

Yell Like Hell was established in 1963 after residence halls were asked to write their own original “yells” about Iowa State that were judged on student enthusiasm and originality. The competition’s five finalists would go on to compete at the Homecoming Pep Rally. By the 1980s, contestants were judged on the additional criteria of school spirit and the incorporation of school colors, leading to the tradition of painting one’s body from head to toe in cardinal and gold. By 2002, residence halls no longer participated in the event. Alpha Kappa Lambda and Delta Sigma Pi won the competition in 1987.