Homecoming – It all started at Mizzou

“Homecoming” is a commonplace event at most colleges and high schools in America, but Tiger lore says the nationwide tradition began at Ol’ Mizzou in 1911. Other schools make similar claims to being the originators, but Missouri’s unique story adds considerable credence to MU’s place in history.

From 1891 to 1910, the Missouri-Kansas game was played in either Kansas City or St. Joseph, but in 1911 it was to be played on a college campus – in Columbia – for the first time. The Missouri Valley Conference had ruled all conference games had to be played at a campus site.

Chester L. Brewer, MU’s director of athletics and football coach at the time, wanted to make sure the game was a success in its first year in Columbia, and he wanted to add some spice to the season-ending game. He issued a plea to Mizzou alumni – and especially former Tiger football players – to “Come Home” for the game.

They did in droves, with a record crowd of 9,000 overflowing Rollins Field, which was located on campus where Stankowski Field is today.

With four minutes to play and MU trailing 3-0, Tiger captain Glen Shuck booted a tying field goal from a difficult angle. Then, little Billy Blees caught a rampaging KU fullback in the open field in the final seconds to preserve the tie and was carried off the field by his teammates.

Hence, “Homecoming” was born. Little did Brewer know that his idea would grow to become Mizzou’s biggest annual tradition. The core elements of most Homecoming celebrations today – – pep rallies, a parade, a bonfire and a football game – were all a part of Mizzou’s 1911 event. In the days leading up to the Nov. 25, 1911 game, several “mass meetings of rooters” were held, according to the Columbia Daily Tribune. More than 2,000 people attended the Nov. 24 evening pep rally, where they listened to speeches predicting a victorious game and practiced old and new cheers. Fans joined a torchlight parade to start the evening ceremonies, which included a bonfire on the practice field.

Since then, other festivities have become part of the week-long celebration. Probably the most iconic are the campus decorations, or “House Dec,” a family-friendly event that draws scores of people to Greektown on Friday night. Other activities include a student talent show, campus blood drive, community service projects and the Saturday morning downtown parade.

MU has a 64-40-5 record in Homecoming games and comes into this year’s game having won the last four, including last year’s 20-10 decision over Kentucky. This is the fourth time in the last six years that a non-conference school has provided the Homecoming opposition. All-time, Mizzou is 3-2 in Homecoming games vs. non-league foes. Not surprisingly, Kansas has been the most common Homecoming opponent – 27 times – with MU leading in those games, 18-7-2, although the two clubs did not meet on Homecoming from 1960 until 2000.

Mizzou will host North Texas for the 110th edition of Homecoming on Sat., Oct. 9. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. and will air on SEC Network. Tickets are available here.