Homecoming Through the Years: A History of Homecoming at East Carolina
The Teco Echo, November 19, 1936. East Carolina University Campus Newspapers. UA50-05. University Archives, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
Program for Homecoming Exercises 1946. Commencement Programs, 1946. UA50-06. University Archives, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
Homecoming provides a time for alumni to return to East Carolina’s campus. While there were programs aimed at fostering relationships with alumni at East Carolina earlier, the first official Homecoming celebration did not come to life in 1936. On November 21, 1936, the Alumni Association sponsored the first Homecoming consisting of an address by President Leon Meadows, a barbecue luncheon, a football game against Louisburg College, and a dance. The Emerson Society, which was one of three student literary societies on campus, sponsored the formal dance portion. In 1938, alumni were also offered the option of attending a movie screening or a high tea.
In 1941, Homecoming added a parade, an idea thought up by football coach John Christenbury. This homecoming was also moved to February to coincide with the dedication of the Flanagan Building, then called the “new classroom building”. Due to the United States’ entrance into World War II, President Meadows suspended many campus events including future Homecoming celebrations.
Homecoming resumed in 1946 as a celebration of alumni veterans. The day’s program, shown here consisted of the original formula of a welcome by Acting President McGinnis, a barbecue luncheon, a football game, and a dance, however, it was combined with the campus’ long-standing May Day celebration. The following year Homecoming festivities returned to the fall, and the day’s program consisted of the presidential address, luncheon, parade, football game, and dance. Homecoming festivities at East Carolina would remain generally the same over the next few decades with some important additions.
Homecoming parade float, 1960-1969. UA55-01. University Archives, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.
The 1959 Homecoming football game against Elon College was East Carolina’s first football game to be televised. In the latter half of the 20th century, homecomings began to have themes, the addition of alumni golf and tennis tournaments, and outstanding alumni awards. This year’s Homecoming Weekend, October 15-16, 2022, will include an Alumni Awards Ceremony, a Homecoming Parade, a football game against the University of Memphis, performances, banner competitions, and much more. For this year’s full schedule, see homecoming.ecu.edu.
Go Pirates! 
