Homecoming may look a little different this year without the ability to host in Cowles Fieldhouse, but that doesn’t take away from the festivities CAB (campus activities board) has planned for the big week.

An email was sent out last week with the rundown of the homecoming festivities taking place this year.

More individual activities have been added, allowing students to still participate in homecoming games without being part of an established team.

CAB homecoming activities started Monday, beginning with the week-long medallion hunt, street painting and trivia night, followed by karaoke in the Black Box theater.

Associate Dean of Students, Rich Ramos, explained how new additions to this year’s homecoming packet include more individual activities for students to participate in and still have the ability to win prizes.

Incentivizing has also been a key factor for the homecoming committee because they want to increase student engagement. Things like money and different prizes will be handed out to those who participate in the games that take place every day and teams who win points for their group over the course of the week.

One of the biggest obstacles the homecoming committee has faced is finding a place to host all the activities planned for the week.

“It’s thrown a wrinkle, and we’ve looked long and hard at options and opportunities for us.” Ramos said. 

Yell Like Hell will now be taking place in Pote Theater, creating concerns regarding capacity.

“We’re doing everything in our power to make it feel like a normal Yell Like Hell,” Ramos said. “It’s still going to be obnoxious, it’s still going to be loud, it’s just going to be in a different venue and we’re not going to be able to have as many people in there.” 

Yell Like Hell has been a very important tradition on Simpson’s campus for approximately 50 years and many alumni still like to attend. Ramos explains that some may not be able to attend this year as they will prioritize students’ attendance first to allow for more opportunities.

Other big events hosted throughout the week include comedian Lafayette Wright Tuesday night, an intramural dodgeball tournament Wednesday night and Homecoming games in the Pedestrian Plaza Thursday night.

The week wraps up Friday night with Yell Like Hell at 8:30 p.m. in Pote Theater and Dance Like Hell in Black Box at 10:30 p.m. before the football team takes on Loras Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Just like last year, a tailgate before the football game will take place in the Hillman parking lot just east of the football field.

Excitement has traveled throughout Simpson’s campus leading up to this week, and all of the activities CAB has planned to get individuals and teams eager to be involved and win big prizes.

“I am excited for it,” Ramos said. “Even though Yell Like Hell isn’t going to be the same, I am excited that it’s going to actually feel like a normal homecoming again after two years of not really having a normal homecoming.”