The Ridiculous Marketing of Homecoming at Virginia Tech

Posted by Lisa Hoang 10/02/2008 11:21 AM

Tags: Homecoming, queen, king, marketing

The Ridiculous Marketing of Homecoming at Virginia Tech

So this week is Homecoming week as this weekend is our Homecoming football game against Western Kentucky University. I remember joining in on all the crazy homecoming festivities back in high school such as powderpuff football game and PJ Fridays. But college is a whole other story on a completely different level.

The Homecoming court consists of frat guys and sorority girls. They have been planning how to get voters out since...probably last semester. Hundreds, even thousands of money is spent on a Homecoming Campaign.

This week there has been a sailboat transported directly on the drillfield to promote Alexandra Sarris of Alpha Chi Omega. The tagline read, "Hop on the the boat...Make Alex your vote." Today I saw a gorilla running around screaming, "Vote for Jenny Nak." In every class there are about 3 different "Vote for ___" shirts worn by their sorority sisters, I'm assuming.

And it got me thinking, the election that everyone is talking about is not about the Presidential Election, it's about the Homecoming Court. I have a feeling that there might be more people voting for Homecoming Queen rather than our President for the next four years.

What exactly does the Homecoming Queen win? A tiara? There isn't even a Homecoming Dance for her to showboat. So what the hell are they fighting for? The winner of Homecoming King and Queen do gain a lot of popularity for their individual fraternity or sorority which might help them out next semester when they set out for recruitment.

I'm in a sorority and we do not need to have a representative in Homecoming to get our name out. Our community service and activism on campus alone have been powerful enough to welcome interest and make a name for ourselves. All I'm saying is that there are other ways to get your name out.

But, who am I to put down a long-term tradition. I'm not saying that we should get rid of Homecoming King and Queen completely. But if a girl (or guy) is worthy of the title, they will win. I just think those thousands of dollars could be utilized for a better, longer-lasting cause.

Rebuttal?

Comments

Anonymous says,

Why are you so bitter? I heard you were on homecoming court in HS...is it because you didn't get the crown? i smell a hypocrite. (Joking!)

I say, stop being a Debbie Downer and support those who have the money to spend on frivolous expense--such as matching t-shirts--amidst our economic crisis. (Sarcasm!)

So sad to see people in the collegiate level are so stupid. STUPID I SAY. I blame MTV. Our society is becoming filled with idiots and future sluts of America. (Truth!) Posted 10/02/2008 11:57 AMReply

Anonymous says,

first of all, i dont take a side on this topic.

what are the responsibilities of a king/queen? if you look at the Miss USA pageant, the winner spends the next year representing her country around the world in philanthropic events and serves as a delegate of her country. does homecoming king and queen do any such events to represent VT outside of Blacksburg?

if they win, maybe that means they are more devoted to addressing issues as a representative of the student body. then maybe the money invested is worth it.

if they win and leave only with a title, followed by no further actions, then they are useless.

i thought it was funny that around 2002 our queen shaved her head for an MTV show and won a couple thousand dollars. i wonder if that money went into anything charitable, or if it just went into one glorious night at TOTS.

good topic...calling out the homecoming court. Posted 10/02/2008 12:54 PMReply

Anonymous says,

homecoming... completely pointless but a nice tradition nonetheless Posted 10/02/2008 5:53 PMReply

Hector Nazario says,

They're fighting for prestige! Posted 10/02/2008 6:29 PMReply

Anonymous says,

really? HAHAHAHHAAH really?

you're sorority doesn't even count. no one cares at all about you. except maybe exper-t's b/c they make bank off of you when you buy letters from them.

give it a rest and stop talking trash. you don't even know what you're talking about. Posted 10/03/2008 12:39 AMReply

Anonymous says,

http://www.vthomecoming.org.vt.edu/court.html

Check out the Homecoming Court page listed above. Homecoming is more than a popularity contest or a recruitment activity for fraternities and sororities. I'm sure any one of the students pictured here has done about 10 times more for the school than you have. Homecoming is about giving them the recognition they deserve. Posted 10/06/2008 11:21 AMReply

Anonymous says,

Apparently you didn't do your research. You do not have to be a part of Greek Life to be a part of the Homecoming Court. You merely have to belong to a student organization at VT that will support you to run for Court. Just because you run for court does not necessarily mean that you will be given a spot. A lot goes in to being chosen - grades, activities, leadership position, and you're overall representation of VT. There are plenty of Greek organizations that do not have a person on the Court (you'd have to have over 50 spots for that to happen). The candidates are also on a strict budget. Youâ��re sorely mistaken if you think they can spend â��thousandsâ�� of dollars on their campaign. In conclusion, instead of act holier-than-thou regarding your service/whatever type of organization youâ��re in, please take a step back and actually learn what goes into Homecoming. If it was nothing but a marketing campaign for Greek Life, itâ��d be called as such. Itâ��s a tradition. Quit making it out to be anymore than that. If you donâ��t like tradition, pick another university to attend. Posted 10/07/2008 9:12 PMReply

Anonymous says,

funny how sensitive people are Posted 10/11/2008 12:33 AMReply

Anonymous says,

oh btw.. so by your logic, she doesn't like any traditions bc she doesnt like one? Posted 10/11/2008 12:35 AMReply

Anonymous says,

so obnoxious. i like how the girl cutting this article down doesn't even have proper grammar. "you're sorority doesn't even count"... nice. that statement alone embodies the type of people who actually care about something as immature and pointless as "homecoming court". Posted 11/02/2008 12:18 AMReply