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News
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October 27, 2006
Groups
'yell like hell' to kick off homecoming festivities
By
Kasey Hawrysz
Cheering,
screaming and hollering, about 550 students filled Alumni Hall in the
Indiana Memorial Union to boost their favorite competitors to
school-spirit glory in Thursday's "Yell Like Hell" spirit
competition.
After the RedSteppers performed an exhibition dance, 10 student and
performance groups vied for victory in the competition, which kicked off
homecoming weekend. The winner earned points toward the overall
competition for homecoming court, said Phil Blomeke, director of events
for the Student Alumni Association.
Acts varied from skits to dancing or singing performances. Most
denigrated Michigan State, IU's opponent in Saturday's homecoming game,
and celebrated the history of IU sports.
IU Student Foundation earned first prize through a skit depicting famous
IU alumni, including Jane Pauley, Trent Green, Mark Spitz, Trista Rehn
"the Bachelorette," Jared Fogel "the Subway guy" and
Herman B Wells, trying to de----termine the meaning of being a Hoosier.
It ended with cheers when two Michigan State fans were inspired to rip
off their green "S" shirts and become Hoosiers.
Competitors were judged on adherence to the event's theme, "Glory
Days," props and costumes and audience response, said judge
Jeremiah Shinn, associate director of student activities.
"We are looking for creativity and the number of ways groups can
incorporate the theme 'Glory Days,'" Shinn said.
B97 radio personalities, including Aaron Shane, hosted the event,
periodically ridiculing those who either did not realize or did not care
that they had won raffle prizes. Raffle tickets were given away at the
door, and prizes included gift certificates to various restaurants.
The Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity was the
lone representative of the Greek community, which Blomeke attributed to
the Greek community's own set of homecoming activities.
Freshman Justin Renfro and several other pledges represented DKE by
singing "Indiana, Our Indiana" and performing a stomp dance.
Renfro said he and other pledges were encouraged by fraternity members
to participate in the event.
"The song was a train wreck," Renfro said. "It was just
terrible. But the stomp dance was a huge success."
Other first-time competitors included Sequel Dance, a co-ed hip-hop
dance company. Members performed several numbers with pop songs,
including Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back."
"Some of the guys dressed up as nerdy guys from Michigan State and
were just doing a real lame dance," group member Ashley Bullington
said. "Then we kind of pushed them away and were bringing sexy
back."
Sequel Dance will also perform in Friday's parade, Bullington said. She
expects the group to continue to perform at "Yell Like Hell"
in the future.
"It was great just seeing all the different organizations at IU and
what they can bring to the table," she said. "And having them
yell like hell for you."
Renfro, on the other hand, was less than
certain he'd return next year, though he did not rule out the
possibility of future pledges taking part in the event.
"It was a good experience, and I'm glad I did it," Renfro
said. "But I'll never do it again."
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