As the chill of the night set in, ISU students and alumni gathered together outside of the ISU Alumni Center to get ready for the upcoming Iowa State vs. Texas Homecoming game.

Celebrating its 103rd year Friday, ISU Homecoming’s typical traditions included a pep rally and mass campaniling the night before the big game. Other activities throughout the night included Yell Like Hell and the greek lawn displays.

The festivities began with a performance by Shy of a Dozen, an ensemble-for-hire that is affiliated with Iowa State, who performed songs such as “Radioactive” and “Barbara Ann.”

The marching band, the ISU Dance Team and Cy performed next. They pumped up the crowd by performing the “Fight Song” and other ISU original songs.

Jeff Johnson, president of the ISU Alumni Association, then welcomed the crowd with a warm, “What’s up Cyclone Nation!”

He further introduced President Steven Leath, the women’s basketball team, the men’s basketball team, the volleyball team and the football team.

After each team was introduced, Steve Prohm, head coach of the men’s basketball team, attempted to do a rendition of “Sweet Caroline,” which prompted a few laughs from the crowd.

Dan Drum, ISU alumnus from the class of 1959, said he came back for Homecoming because he “kind of liked it here.”

Drum’s three children are also ISU alumni. He said that one of the biggest questions he finds himself asking when he visits is, “what’s that building?” because of the significant changes to Iowa State’s campus.

The night concluded with the crowning of the 2015 Cardinal Court. Austin Javellana was announced as the king, and Zoe Hildreth was announced as the queen.

“I think that [the Homecoming traditions] sets the foundation of what Iowa State is. An institution, and in my opinion, one of the most historical institutions in the state,” said Dan Breitbarth, Student Government president. “We really have stayed true to our missions since the very beginning and provide an opportunity for anyone in the state of Iowa to come and get a high quality education.” 

Breitbarth said one of his personal favorite parts of Homecoming is when everyone congregates on campus for mass campaniling, a tradition where ISU students truly become an Iowa Stater as they kiss their significant other under the Campanile at the stroke of midnight.