Homecoming Season
By Sam Kombrink
When we think of homecoming, most of us think of our days in high school, but have you ever wondered how homecoming started?
It has been said that in 1911, the Athletic Director at the University of Missouri, Chester Brewer, urged alumni to “come home” for a football game against the University of Kansas. Some other fun facts about the first Homecoming game: Mizzou was coached by Brewer; the “First Homecoming Game” ended in a 3-3 tie in Columbia, and it was the last game for both schools that year, with KU ending their season with a record of (4-2-1), and the Mizzou at (2-4-1).
Now that you know that the history of homecoming started right here in the “Show Me State”, I should inform you that Avila University’s homecoming is right around the corner. It starts on Thursday, October 18th to Sunday, October 21st. For more details, you can check out the homecoming week schedule on the Avila University website at www.avila.edu.
There will be plenty of sports being played at Avila during homecoming week. Starting Friday, October 19th, Women’s Soccer at 1 pm and Men’s Soccer at 3:30 pm as they look to take on Ottawa University. Also on Friday, the Avila Eagles Volleyball team will host Bethel University (5-15) in a double header at 5 pm and 7 pm.
On Saturday October 20th at 10 am, Avila University will host the Avila Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony at the Athletics Pavilion. Avila will induct Former Avila baseball player Nick Field, former photographer Jan Humphreys and the 2013 Avila cheer team, as they will all be enshrined into the Avila Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2018. After the ceremony, fans can walk across the parking lot to attend Avila’s Football game at noon where the Eagles look to take on the Ottawa University Braves with a record of (6-1). It should be a good one.
The Avila Eagles Football team currently has a record of (5-1). Here are some Division 1 stats where the Eagles rank in the top 10, according to www.dakstats.com: Number 2 in in first downs per game; number 2 in pass offense per game; number 3 in total offense yards per game; number 3 in 3rd down conversion; Number 4 i total pass offense; number 6 in scoring offense per game, and number 7 in total scoring offense. For the first time in its history, Avila Football is ranked in the NAIA Football Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, coming in at No. 25
I certainly hope sports fans show up and support our local collegiate athletics, even if it has been a rough Fall for Avila’s soccer and volleyball programs. With men’s soccer with a record of (3-8-1), women’s soccer (3-9-1) and women’s volleyball (7-19), all it takes is a little support to show these athletes that we support their hard work, and dedication.
In other Homecoming news, On Friday, October 12th, Grandview and Center High Schools had there homecoming games.
- Grandview Bulldogs (4-4) – Lost 27-6 to Smithville, upcoming game at Platte County (7-1)
- Center Yellow-jackets (7-1) – Won 42-7 vs St. Michael, upcoming game at Sedalia Smith-Cotton (3-5)
Make sure to get out and support all of the collegiate athletics that Avila University has to offer to South Kansas City, as well as the local high school football.