Colleges and universities have a special day every Fall called Homecoming. On a Saturday in the throes of autumn, the school invites past students back to campus as the alums reminisce about past successes, evil deeds and things that they swore to never tell in public again. On this day, past, present, and future students come together to merge generations and remind each other of the good times in college, before, you know, you became a real adult.
At Monmouth University in West Long Branch, this day takes place in October and is capped off with a football game that often gets overlooked as people catch up with old friends for hours. The exception to this rule is when Monmouth excels on the gridiron, as was the case this season, when Kessler Stadium was filled with excitement on October 18th. The day ends with football, but the festivities start early in the morning in the parking lots and tents on the campus.
In full disclosure, I was a student at Monmouth from 2004 to 2007, so I may be biased towards the day — and I don’t care. On this day, I returned to Monmouth Homecoming for the first time in over a decade, and to say that memories of past homecomings started to flood my mind would be an understatement.
Schools like Alabama and Penn State host gigantic homecoming celebrations that span days, drawing tens of thousands of people to Happy Valley and Tuscaloosa. What makes Homecoming special at a smaller school like Monmouth is its intimate size. In this new era of college sports, where business is prioritized, mid-major schools are focusing on engagement with fans and, more importantly, alums. Yes, we all complain about the fundraising calls and letters, but schools like Monmouth, whether you donate or not, want you to return to see what has changed and to remember what college is about: having fun and finding yourself.
“Homecoming is a great occasion and time of year to reconnect and catch up in-person with our Monmouth University Hawk Family members, from alumni to professors and staff to the campus grounds itself — and Homecoming is a terrific opportunity to meet new acquaintances and future friends,” said Jennifer Hom ’11 BS, ’13 MBA.
“As an alumna, it truly is heartwarming to witness several generations come together in the same place to celebrate our love for Monmouth. It’s wonderfully nostalgic to remember our times at MU — and having it now be a fond touchstone in our lives and in this ever-changing, challenging world.”
Obviously, football rules the day on Homecoming as the Hawks play in one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. With a 16-15 record in Homecoming games, the results may not always favor the good guys, but it is a big day for the school and program, a fact not lost on longtime head coach Kevin Callahan.
“I think it’s big. I think we had a big crowd,” said Callahan after Saturday’s game. “I mean, at least the parking lots looked like there was. Homecoming is always a very big day here at Monmouth and to win on Homecoming makes it extra special.”
Besides the constant threat of rain or an actual monsoon on Homecoming Day, when I attended Monmouth (2004 was a rough day), you can count on a large turnout from former and current students. And while the festivities have evolved into a more family-friendly event (stories will not be told here), there is a general excitement when you arrive on campus, especially if you haven’t been to West Long Branch in a while.
Driving down Larchwood Avenue heading to the parking lot generates a muscle memory for those who remember taking that drive to previous Homecomings, or if you were a commuter coming to campus for class. You may choose to park on the other side of campus, off Cedar, where the dorms —both new and old —stand, and you have thoughts of late nights of “studying” and running to class the following day, since you are about 20 minutes late for an early morning class.
Looking back is not always something that people do. Whether you choose not to look back or don’t think reliving a different time in your life is advantageous, you can’t help it on a day like Homecoming. For one day a year, you are allowed to see friends, tell old stories (and be judged by your partner as you tell said story) and be a college kid for a couple of hours before you go back to being an adult. On my return to Homecoming this year, I wasn’t Kahlil Thomas; I was back to just KT…just for a little while.
As Blink-182 says, “I guess this is growing up”.
And by the way….Monmouth 49, Stony Brook 21. GO HAWKS!!!
