President’s Fireside Chat, revision of Toilet Bowl Games highlight Homecoming week

The week of Feb. 4-8 is 2013 Homecoming week at Ozarks, but this year things will look a little different than in recent years.

Director of Campus Activities Emma Bottorff worked with several student organizations to make this Homecoming week one for the history books.

This year marks Dr. Rick and Sherée Niece’s final Homecoming week as president and first lady, and Bottorff wanted to make sure the week’s activities included a celebration of their time at Ozarks.

"Our theme is ‘Year of the Eagle,’" Bottorff explained. "As this is the Nieces’ last homecoming, we wanted to celebrate the traditions of Ozarks. One of the most exciting things we have planned is a fireside chat with Dr. Niece on Tuesday night. He will share stories about his years as president at Ozarks. It should be an especially fun event."

Bottorff and her regiment of student organizations decided there was no better way to celebrate the past, present, and future of Ozarks than by reviving an old campus tradition: the Toilet Bowl Games.

"The last time Ozarks had the Toilet Bowl Games was in 1984, 29 years ago," Bottorff said. "It was a huge event on campus that everyone loved, so we wanted to bring it back and try it again."

In decades past, the Toilet Bowl Games consisted primarily of a flag football game that fostered a furious rivalry between King Hall and MacLean Hall.

"During the original Toilet Bowl Games, it was King vs. MacLean, freshmen vs. upperclassmen, in a flag football game. Whichever class won, got to name the Toilet Bowl Queen, who would receive toilet paper rolls and plungers painted gold as a crown and scepter," Bottorff described.

This year, the Toilet Bowl Games will be different and, ideally, involve much more of the campus.

"When we decided to bring back the Toilet Bowl Games, we didn’t want to limit the activities to one event," Bottorff said. "Instead, we’re doing a series of events all week long. There will be nine different opportunities to score points for your class. At the end of the week, the class with the most points will name the Toilet Bowl Queen."

As part of the Toilet Bowl Games, students will be able to score points for their class in events like toilet seat horseshoes, toilet paper wrap race, and plunger archery.

"There will lots of silly fun things, but the point is to get everyone involved and excited about homecoming," Bottorff explained. "The Toilet Bowl games are all about creating a sense of pride in your school and connection to your class. We wanted to really build up the school spirit this homecoming week."

Participation is also a huge part of winning the Toilet Bowl Games. During Homecoming week, each day comes with a theme. Participating in each theme day wins your class points as well.

"If you participate in the spirit theme and check in with us that day, you’ll win points for your class. Also, when you check in during the spirit theme days, you’re automatically entered for a chance to win ‘Best Seat in the House’ during the ball games," Bottorff said.

The winner of the "Best Seat in the House" gets to enjoy a comfy couch placed in the stands during the homecoming basketball games. They’ll also have pizza, popcorn, and drinks served to them.

"We wanted the Toilet Bowl Games to reflect back into Homecoming and our commitment to campus and the community," Bottorff said. "So, in addition to participating in theme days, students can also earn points by donating blood during the community blood drive on Friday and participating in the Polar Slide. This year, for every person who slides, Student Life, Campus Activities Board, and the Residential Hall Association will work together to donate a dollar to Interfaith, a local food bank."

Homecoming week will kick off Sunday, Feb. 3, with the Niece’s famous Super Bowl Party in the Rogers Conference Center,  followed by the first theme day (80s Day) and the first of the Toilet Bowl Games on Monday.  Friday, Feb. 8, brings the culmination of the Toilet Bowl Games and a huge bonfire, all in preparation for Saturday’s Homecoming basketball games. A full schedule of events is below.

Year of the Eagle
Homecoming 2O13
Schedule

Topics: Community Events