This week is homecoming, everybody knows that.  

Homecoming is typically celebrated during football season. 

But, what about the kids who never had football in high school? 

When I was in high school, we had homecoming in December/January during basketball season. 

Why? Because we did not have football.  

It was freezing and most of the time the dance or game got postponed by the weather.  

Also, the atmosphere is completely different when homecoming is during basketball season.  

I never really understood the point of a homecoming game or a homecoming dance.  

Do not get me wrong, I went to the games in high school and got dressed up to attend the dance in the school gym.  

In college, it is a different vibe.  

Alumni go to the game and partake in festivities.  

The college is riled up about the game, even if we lose.  

Then it feels like most everybody goes out and celebrates.  

And by celebrate, I mean have a few too many, and by all means go for it.  

Maybe it’s the small-town girl in me, but big homecomings just don’t appeal to me.  

I like going to football and basketball games. 

However, I just do not see why people make a big deal in homecoming. 

It’s another football or basketball game.  

Alumni and everybody else can attend all the other games, which they do.  

So why does this one home game get hyped up more than the others?  

It’s probably different for football players, cheerleaders, alumni, and other fellow students.  

I guess I just never really understood the pride and effort it takes to be a part of the excitement of homecoming.  

Some schools have two homecomings, one for football and one for basketball.  

There’s nothing wrong if you do like homecoming, and it is great that alumni come back and celebrate all the good times they had here at Eastern.  

I just feel like homecoming is no different than the rest of the football or basketball games. 

Everybody makes it a big deal, maybe it is to them.  

I just want to know why homecoming is a big deal.  

Also, I feel like homecoming activities are great for the community, but they do not make much sense either.  

The parade is a perfect example of this.  

I could also feel this way because I am a student and have yet to be an alumnus, but I will get there one day. 

Katelyn Eddington is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or at kdeddington@eiu.edu