The SMU Homecoming parade included floats from Greek and non-Greek organizations. (Sidney Hollingsworth/The Daily Campus)

The Boulevard was packed with students, faculty and alumni Saturday morning for SMU’s annual Homecoming parade. The parade began on Hillcrest Avenue at 11 a.m. and then headed toward campus and made its way through the Boulevard.

The parade’s main feature was the student built floats. All week student put in long hours building and “pomping” their Holiday themed floats.

Before the parade, judges c hose winners of the float building competition.

Third place went to Pi Beta Phi and Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) for their Fourth of July themed float.

Alpha Chi Omega and Beta Theta Pi took home first place for their Christmas themed float.

First place went to Chi Omega and Sigma Phi Epislon for their creative Texas Independence Day theme float that featured President R. Gerald Turner’s face on it.

“We loved that the community came out to support the festivities and it really helps us remind the surrounding community that SMU is here,” Student Foundation Homecoming Chair Kaleigh Schropp said.

The parade also had appearances from the Mustang Band, President Turner, Provost Paul Ludden, Dean Jose Bowen and special floats, such as an SMU Unbridled float and a float in honor of Dallas Hall’s birthday.

Blake Mycoskie, SMU alumnus and TOMS Shoes “chief shoe giver,” acted as the grand marshal for the parade and SMU alumnus Dan Bell was the master of ceremonies for the parade.

The parade also featured performances from local high school line dancers and baton twirlers.

After the parade and Boulevarding, students, alumni and faculty made their way to Gerald J. Ford Stadium to watch the game against Memphis.

During halftime, Homecoming queen and king were announced.

There were four elements that determined the winner for the queen and king, with each part counting 25 percent. Candidates were judged based on popular voting, resume/GPA, interview and spirit points, which are a result of the week long Homecoming activities.

FIJI’s Eric Sabandal was crowned Homecoming king and Kappa Alpha Theta’s Paige Evans was crowned Homecoming queen.

Evans expressed her excitement for Homecoming week overall. “My favorite part about Homecoming is getting to show my SMU spirit while bonding with so many incredible and involved candidates,” Evans said.

First runner up went to Pi Kappa Alpha’s Ryan McComb and Kappa Kappa Gamma’s Anne McCaslin Parker.

Beta Upsilon Chi’s Ryan Cole and Chi Omega’s Jennie Pearson received second runner up.

The winner of Homecoming overall was announced as well.
This win is determined by the points earned throughout the week in events such as Peruna painting, field day, window painting, rock the vote, banner competition, blood drive participation and the float building competition.

This year Beta Theta Pi and Alpha Chi Omega took home first place.

“Homecoming went off without a hitch. We couldn’t have done it without our Student Foundations members, all participating organization and SMU’s support,” Schropp said.