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 A homecoming so large, and so spectacular, it took an entire week and a half to celebrate it.
Sure, Howard University lost its Homecoming football to Morgan State University by a score of 18 to 12. And sure, the Howard
Bison held the lead for most of the 2nd half, but couldn't hold on to it long enough to defeat
its rival before sending the game into overtime - not once, but twice.
And sure, when it’s all said and done, it would have been nice to win the Homecoming game, because after all,
that’s what Homecoming is all about. Right?
Or is it?
With so many events going on leading up to the game can we really say
Homecoming is just about football?
Or is it really about the camaraderie of friends, (old and new); family, and alumni getting together; people networking
and making alliances, and enjoying the events in an atmosphere where history, pride, and that ‘ole HU love permeates
the air.
First off, props have to be given to the Howard University Homecoming Steering Committee for putting together all of the events. The team, made up of HU alumni,
and current students, executed a magnificent portrayal of planning and implementation.
(If you enjoyed yourself, thank the Steering Committee.)
The Steering committee was responsible for Homecoming events that included a gospel show, a comedy show, a fashion show, a Coronation boat ride along the Potomac; a Friday night R&B concert featuring recording artist, The Roots; a mega parade on Saturday morning featuring actor/rapper, Ice Cube as the Grand Marshall; and high school and college
bands from across the nation struttin' down Georgia Avenue.
The game's halftime show featured a battle of the bands
featuring the HU 'Showtime' Marching Band vs. Morgan State’s marching band.
The evening would lend itself to a step show were Greek sororities and fraternities battled it out on stage to
see who can bring the best in ‘step-ology’.
And if you still weren’t satisfied, and if you were in the right place at the right time, you could see celebs
like model, Tyson Beckford R&B singers ‘Lil Mo, Monica, and Trey Songz; along with Ken Lawson ("T", from the Parkers); actor and rapper, Chris Bridges - (a.k.a. Ludacris); and Howard University’s
own, Sean Combs - a.k.a. Diddy.
After all, what would a HU homecoming be without the celebs?
And then of course, there were the parties. And you know how the
saying goes. “Ain’t no party like a HU party, ‘cuz a HU party don’t stop”. WPGC 95.5 radio was the official radio station for homecoming 2006, with Howard University Radio’s own, Tony
Richards as co-announcer for the homecoming parade.
In the end, a homecoming is really about community and friends getting together to honor the place where
teachers and faculty helped educate you; where friends and family help mold and shape you; where the food is likened to a
down home Sunday dinner, and where respect (yes, ma’m) abounds.
Yeah. Now, that’s a homecoming.
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