Otis Seawood said “Yell Like Hell” is a time for students and faculty to come together and display school spirit.

“This is like a pre-pep rally,” said the junior family and consumer science major. “We are getting you excited for the pep rally.”

Seawood, the Homecoming chair elect, said students can look forward to a great show this year.

The Homecoming events will continue with “Yell Like Hell” and “Who wants to be a Mascot” at 7 p.m. today in the McAfee Gymnasium.

This occasion allows groups such as Greek life, residence halls, and student organizations to display school spirit through dance routines, chants, cheers, and stunts set to music related to the theme: “Rock n’ Roll, Pop n’ Soul.”

Some groups will perform to music by Aerosmith, Michael Jackson, Kid Rock, Run DMC, the Blues Brothers, the movie Dream Girls and many others.

Seawood said these performances are all going to show some type of creativity.

“It is unique how many came together for this,” he said. “It’s good to see students come together.”

Mary Ham, a graduate assistant for the Student Life Office, said there are some rules and guidelines the organizations have to follow for their routines.

“There is a time limit, and we keep all rules aligned with the athletic department,” said the advisor for Panther Pride.

Some of those rules are not stepping outside of the mat while performing, and no basket tossing for stunts.

Ham said she believes “Yell Like Hell” will run smoothly this year.

“We have detail-oriented members in Panther Pride to make sure ‘Yell Like Hell’ runs smoothly,” she said.

Omar Solomon, a senior mass communications major, said the organizations will bring excitement and creativity to the event.

“Expect a lot of creativity,” said the Panther Pride co-chair.

Solomon said the organizations are serious about this event, and some have been working hard since the middle of September.

“They are yelling like hell and showing pride for their school,” he said.

Hannah Sterricker, a junior recreation administration major said she has been coaching her sorority, Sigma Sigma Sigma, along with the fraternities, Sigma Nu and Beta Theta Pi, on routines for this upcoming event.

“As a coach I had to hold tryouts for the girls and find guys to make up a group of 16,” she said. “We have been working a little bit over a month.”

Sterricker said the group’s theme is Hard Rock Café, and they will have music played by Girl Talk.

Sterricker said her organization has been dedicated to their performance.

“We want to show others how hard we worked and that we can be dedicated to something and do it well,” she said.

For “Who Wants to be a Mascot,” students are able to create a mascot of their choice and show off their school spirit.

Solomon said their performances, as a mascot, will be humorous.

“It goes back to the excitement for the EIU students to see,” he said. “This will be great for the community and campus. Come out for the show, because it will be a show.”

Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.