CB Walker, head coach of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Jefferson College, hopes that bringing back homecoming festivities after a nearly four-decade absence will fire up school spirit on campus and beyond.
The homecoming activities are scheduled for Friday, coinciding with that evening’s Viking basketball games against North Central Missouri College at the Field House on the Hillsboro campus. The festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m., with the women’s game to start at 5 p.m. and the men’s game to commence after the first contest ends, at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Jefferson College last offered homecoming activities in 1987, according to information from the school.
Walker said he was looking for a way to promote a community feeling on campus, as well draw the interest of alumni and the greater Jefferson College community.
“I think the biggest thing was to bring the college together as a whole,” he said. “I’m trying to create a tradition for them to attend. Also, I want to use it as a recruiting tool.”
The homecoming theme is “Hoops and Heritage,” celebrating the intersection of sports and culture and highlighting the influence of Black athletes this month, which is designated as Black History Month, the college reported.
Campus leaders hope to see a good turnout, with Jefferson College alumni and current students; former student athletes; current and retired employees; and the community at large in attendance, said Walker, co-advisor of the campus Black Student Union, along with Courtney Wooldridge, the college’s athletics administration specialist.
Walker said he and Wooldridge have worked with BSU students since September to plan homecoming activities.
The Athletics Department, the Early Childhood Center, other student groups and members of the faculty, staff and administration have also helped, he said.
“I think we’ve got a lot of involvement from around the campus,” Walker said.
Jefferson College President Dena McCaffrey said she fully supports their efforts.
“We’re very excited to bring this event back to campus,” McCaffrey said.
Scheduled homecoming activities include a display of vintage photos from previous Viking homecoming celebrations dating back to the 1960s; entertainment by the Viking cheer team and the pep band; recognition of homecoming prince and princess nominees (ages 2-5) from the Early Childhood Center during halftime of the women’s game; the announcement of homecoming court nominees from student clubs and sports teams with winners announced during halftime of the men’s game.
In addition, Jefferson College women’s basketball team member Lydia Griffin will sing the national anthem prior to the men’s game.
“She’s involved in the BSU program and our basketball program,” Walker said. “She won us over in three seconds … she can sing.”
Admission for those older than 18 costs $6. For those 11-18, the cost is $3, while children 10 and younger may attend for free.
Game tickets are available online at jeffco.edu/ticket-information or at the door. No cash will be accepted at the door.
Various homecoming-related activities are expected to take place on campus during the days leading up to the homecoming basketball games.
Walker said now that homecoming has returned to Jefferson College, he intends for it to be celebrated every year.
“We plan to create a tradition,” he said.