When members of the SMU community left Ford Stadium Saturday night, it’s safe to say that almost everybody felt sick to their stomachs. SMU losing its centennial Homecoming game to James Madison, a highly respectable FCS football program, on a last-minute touchdown made people temporarily forget about how successful Homecoming weekend on the Hilltop actually was.
Now that we’ve had a couple of days to try to move past this loss, it’s time to focus on the good that came out of SMU’s Homecoming weekend.
5. Centennial Picnic
In order to bring all members of the SMU community together, there was a free afternoon picnic on Thursday. Along with food, there were also music and carnival-themed games that reminded everyone of the State Fair of Texas.
https://twitter.com/SMUCW_News/status/647103675161182208
4. Pigskin Revue
One of SMU’s oldest Homecoming traditions took place Friday night at McFarlin Auditorium, and it was a show to remember. There were musical performances by several SMU organizations, and the Mustang Band played songs ranging from 1920’s jazz to current pop. Twitter user @Jeanedeters was in attendance, and was impressed after one of the highlights of the show- Obi Okechukwu’s performance of “Mack the Knife.”
@SMU_MustangBand Awesome Pigskin Revue! pic.twitter.com/VHaChy3LSr
— Jeane Deters (@Jeanedeters) September 26, 2015
3. Centennial Countdown concert
It’s not everyday that Moody Coliseum is rocking when there isn’t a basketball game, but on the first official night of Homecoming weekend, the Eli Young Band took the stage. I don’t know who decided to have a concert on a Wednesday night, but it was a success nonetheless.
https://twitter.com/EliYoungBand/status/647186213527535618
2. Homecoming fireworks
Those who sat through the giveaway of a brand new car after the football game Saturday night were rewarded with one of the most elaborate fireworks displays you’ll ever see. The show almost made you forget that half of campus was shut down for it, almost.
PHOTOS: @SMU fireworks after the game. #smu100 pic.twitter.com/4dv1eljLI6
— SMU FOOTBALL (@SMUFB) September 27, 2015
1. SMU got even wealthier
In 2008, SMU President R. Gerald Turner launched the Second Century Campaign in order to raise more money for the future of SMU. SMU reached its goal of $750 million in 2013, so Turner raised the goal to an unprecedented amount of $1 billion. On Thursday, Turner announced that the goal was met ahead of the deadline of Dec. 31, 2015.
If you see this on your way home…just remember that we can't thank you enough. #smu100 http://t.co/I31jRJ5mEy pic.twitter.com/5k3mMrfDFK
— SMU (@SMU) September 24, 2015
While one of the biggest takeaways from homecoming weekend was the fact that our football team lost, there are many moments from the past week that make all of us proud to be a Mustang.
