'Yell Like Hell' starts off homecoming

Homecoming is a time when IU transforms from the studious, quiet college it is known to be into a loud, spirit-rousing source of excitement. Or, at least, that is what the members of the Student Athletic Board and Student Alumni Association hope will happen. \n"Yell Like Hell increases the spirit on campus toward the football team and IU athletics in general." said senior Cory Acree, an SAB member.\nHomecoming festivities start off with some noise this weekend as Yell Like Hell takes place at 7:30 p.m. today at Willkie Quad. The event is a student spirit competition and consists of students and organizations performing skits for three minutes each. \nThis year's Homecoming theme, "Let the Good Times Roll," must be apparent in the skit and any other focus on Homecoming, football or the specific game against Illinois that will cap off the week at 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium.\n"We always want more groups to come out," senior Carlye Petro, vice president of special events for the Student Alumni Association, said. "It is primarily greek groups that participate. We enjoy them, but we ideally like to reach out to all groups on campus."\nThe judging will be based on originality, appearance and the crowd response. If any group can get the crowd involved and display school spirit, then that group has a fighting chance at taking home first place, Petro said.\n"The groups are judged on spirit and have to have an act that relates to the Homecoming theme," Petro said. "We also look for creativity and also is based on interaction with the crowd."\nWinners will be announced and awarded during half-time of the Homecoming game.\nYell Like Hell is one of the first events this week, but it is not the last. The 43rd Annual Homecoming Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday at West Third Street, concluding at Sample Gates on Indiana Avenue. \nNewly installed Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm, will take the role as Grand Marshal and lead the parade. Students were asked to decorate bikes, cars, etc., if they wanted to join in the parade and travel across campus. \nAll that is asked is that the participants decorate their props with the Homecoming theme and be sponsored by a group from IU.\n"We are pretty much going with tradition this year," said senior Kylie Bauer, a member of the SAA. "We have approximately 80 units consisting of decorated floats by fraternities and sororities and a lot of decorated cars. All entries are going to be judged on the incorporation of the theme, creativity and overall appearance."\nThe Pep Rally will start immediately after the parade and winners from all of the contests will be announced including the king and queen who will be crowned during half-time of the game. The fans will be rewarded will special guests Coach Cam Cameron, football players, cheerleaders, Redsteppers and Marching Hundred at Sample Gates. Members of the Student Athletic Board and Student Alumni Association believe that these events are a good jumping off point for the students to be excited for the game on Saturday and get involved in the school a little more.\n"This week is about uniting the community, students on campus and alumni," Petro said. "We do our best to reach all aspects of the community and bring everyone together while we ideally want celebrate school spirit"