Breaking the rules
     Years ago, University of Tampa students sneaked across campus—the grounds of a former hotel—to scale the 10-story-tall silver minarets atop Plant Hall for a bird’s eye view of the cityscape. Today, however, the once off-limits landmark is part of an annual homecoming custom: the climbing of the minarets.
     On homecoming weekends, one of the 13 historic structures is opened up to the whole UT family. "There’s a little bit of history. Often, when alumni take their kids up, they’ll say, ‘This is the first time I’ve ever done this legally," says Stacy Bruels, director of alumni and parent relations. "From up there, you can see how the campus has changed, and it’s one of the best views of the city."
     About 200 students and alums climb the towers each year before heading over to campus hot spots such as The Rathskeller or The Chatterbox, a local bar owned by a UT alum that serves as the unofficial hub during the reunion. "The Box seems to be a common meeting place," Bruels says. "Whatever else is happening, people just know to go there to bump into each other."

My parents did what?
     Back in the 60’s and 70’s, Rollins College students found another use for Florida’s orange groves. "They served as excellent places to have parties, because you couldn’t really have them on campus," says Bill Bieberbach, a 1970 grad. When Bieberbach and a former classmate began planning a reunion five years ago, they revived the tradition of the Grove Party as a social for out-of-town alums who arrive early on campus.
     While the groves where students used to gather no longer exist, about a dozen potted orange trees are scattered around an area next to Lake Virginia. More than 500 former and current students showed up last year for the three-hour bash, including a Rollins couple who reminisced about getting engaged near the site at the old Dinky Dock near the lake.

Jubullee
     For 10 years, Tampa residents have seen the running of the bulls without flying to Spain. During homecoming, the University of South Florida Bulls corral into the soccer stadium for a carnival complete with nearly two dozen adult and children’s rides such as a giant slide, the Gravitron, a kids roller coaster, and fun and haunted houses. Game vendors, fair foods, local bands, and free drinks also round out the fest.
     Last year’s Bull Bash carnival and concert combo featured Sister Hazel and drew more than 10,000 fans and fair-goers to celebrate "Finally Footbull," an allusion to the school’s inaugural football season. Other USF homecoming happenings include an annual mile-long parade down Alumni Drive, a pep rally with a headliner comedian, and the Bull Pen car decorating party and game-day caravan. In 1997, students got a doubull dose of festivities, as homecoming was held once in spring and again in the fall to begin a new tradition of reunions centered around football games. Fans are reportedly thrilled with the moooove.

All dolphined up
     Long before the Miami Dolphins or the demand for dolphin-safe tuna, Jacksonville University students identified themselves as Flipper’s friends. Because the college is located on the mouth of the St. Johns River near the Atlantic coast, the dolphin was a natural choice for the school’s mascot, says Bob Price, JU’s director of alumni and parent relations. "Now dolphin paraphernalia is everywhere."
     Thus, it seems apt that JU’s kinship to watersports should be celebrated each homecoming by Dolphins of all ages. More than 50 current and former rowers turn out for the annual alumni crew race. This year, JU athletes will continue to row, row, row their boats even though the 10-year-old event and homecoming will make a splash in a new season. The Dolphins will try to dominate the surf and astroturf as they stretch their sea legs as their first football team starts play this fall.

Coming home to help
     In the ‘90s, University of Miami students, staff, and alums have teamed up to reach out in Hurricanes Help the Hometown—UM’s largest one-day community-outreach program. As many as 1,000 volunteers are dispatched to one of 45 different agencies. The Hurricanes play with children, paint, organize closets, or pull up exotic weeds on Key Biscayne. While some participants are trying to earn points for homecoming competitions, about half of the helpers get involved just for the fun of it. "We just want to expose them to the different agencies in hopes that a longer-lasting relationship will come out of it," says Mickey Rubenstien, director of volunteer services. "The university receives such support from the community—this is our way of giving back and making it very visible on this day."

Rest in peace
     The Bethune-Cookman College Wildcats bury their opponents each year at homecoming—literally. A staged funeral service for B-CC’s opponent begins with a processional of mourning actors. The sorrowful students roll a casket, usually donated by a science professor who owns a funeral parlor, from the Heyn Memorial Chapel to Bethune-Cookman’s courtyard where headstones mark the final resting places of past vanquished teams. A minister comforts the weepy wildcats, while a pallbearer guards the gravesite throughout the day. Bethune-Cookman students have been putting their rivals six feet under for nearly 50 years, says Charles Williams, SGA vice president.

Seminole nation
     Half-time homecoming pageantry has been a highlight of Florida State University’s Saturday celebration since 1947, mixing Seminole victories and Native American ritual. With Coach Bobby Bowden, the Noles haven’t lost a homecoming game yet, a theme that carries through the Marching Chiefs’ half-time show. After the 420-member college band performs, actual Seminole tribe members in authentic garb approach center stage to present a handbeaded headdress and cloth turban to the homecoming princess and chief. FSU Homecoming is a rare chance for the school not only to pay tribute to Seminoles, but also to reunite with alums. "By bringing back and emphasizing those grads, you tie your past and future together," says Jim Melton, president of FSU’s Alumni Association.

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