With Northern in the midst of its 125th anniversary Homecoming celebration, it seems an appropriate time to look back on the first incarnation and the subsequent evolution of this annual event.
According to history professor emeritus Russell Magnaghi's A Sense of Time: The Encyclopedia of Northern Michigan University, the university's initial attempt at holding a Homecoming was made in 1924, when alumni were encouraged to attend a football game pitting Northern against its rival Michigan Tech. The intention was to make it an annual tradition, but little came of the effort at that time.
Northern's first traditional Homecoming celebration was held nearly a decade later, Oct 25-26, 1935. The university's fourth president, Webster H. Pearce, announced the homecoming in his fall assembly address and the program was arranged by the chair of the faculty committee, L.O. Grant.
“A pep meeting and parade were held on Friday evening,” wrote Magnaghi. “A bonfire was ignited at the end of the parade, where students cheered for their football team, which played Saturday afternoon. To finalize the weekend, a Homecoming dance was held.”
This event inaugurated the longstanding tradition that strives to bring alumni and current students closer together. Homecoming undertook exciting transformations at Northern in following years.
“Students dressed in green and gold participated in games such as tug-of-war, nominated kings and queens, and organized events for visiting alumni,” Magnaghi added. “The bonfire became a ‘mourning ceremony' where Northern students would burn the ‘coffin' of the opposing football team, which signified predicted victory.”
Homecoming has been held each fall, with the exceptions of 1943-1947, due to World War II, and more recently during the pandemic. Notable events have included the 1977 musical chairs game of monumental proportions; 1,674 people participated and broke the world record for a time. In 1978, the world's largest pasty was baked and eaten, and in 1998, an elaborate homecoming coincided with the university's Centennial Celebration.
The 125th anniversary Homecoming features all of the traditional activities such as the parade and football game, along with some special new events, including Thursday night's free concert by country duo Maddie & Tae and a traditional Anishinaabe lacrosse game on Sunday. See the full schedule at nmu.edu/homecoming.