Oct. 24, 2022
Contact: Deidra Ashley, ashleyde@missouri.edu
Photos by Abbie Lankitus, Sam O’Keefe, Mizzou Digital Ambassadors and the Mizzou Homecoming Steering Committee
This year, the University of Missouri celebrated its 111th Homecoming. One of the first Homecoming events is the student-run blood drive.
University of Missouri President Mun Choi, center, attended the event and encouraged the Tiger community to donate to this year's drive.
The Homecoming Blood Drive was established in 1983. The main on-campus drive takes places over the course of four days. Tigers who don’t live in Columbia are encouraged to donate at a satellite drive.
The blood drive benefits the American Red Cross. This year, the drive collected more than 4,000 units of blood — potentially saving more than 12,000 lives.
The official Homecoming Week was kicked off by a dome-lighting ceremony. Steering Committee (SteerCo) members Remi Taylor, left, and Kara Weiss helped at the event.
Hundreds of students and community members gathered on Traditions Plaza for the ceremony on Oct. 16.
The nine stories of the Jesse Hall dome perfectly reflected this year’s HoCo theme: Paint the Town Gold.
The dome-lighting event included a concert by local band The Brink.
Homecoming tri-directors Chris Staley, Matthew Rothermich and Karsen Idelman helped lead another Homecoming tradition: the Talent competition.
The Talent competition takes place over three nights. Fraternities and sororities perform dances and skits that follow the Homecoming theme.
Fraternities and sororities are paired up to write, direct and perform for the show.
About 1,500 students perform each night of Talent.
Groups rehearse for months to get their productions stage ready.
Each skit is about 10 minutes long, and a winner is chosen at the end of the competition.
Tigers brought the spirit of Homecoming to Columbia's downtown district through storefront murals and window paintings.
Each organization painted a design reflecting this year’s subtheme: cartoons.
Many of the windows are part of the parade route — adding an extra splash of Mizzou pride.
Members of the Alumni Association Student Board decorated Yellow Dog Bookshop with a Blue's Clues theme.
Members of Beta Chi Omicron decorated Bubblecup Tea Zone with a Teen Titans theme.
Kappa Alpha Theta and Farmhouse and Delta Kappa Epsilon decorated Shortwave Coffee with a Magic School Bus theme.
The Friday before the Homecoming game, houses of Interfraternity Council fraternities and Panhellenic Association sororities displayed Campus Decorations.
Tiger fans of all ages attended as fraternity-sorority pairings told Mizzou-themed stories. This year, there were 15 displays for the community to view.
Sigma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Sigma Phi and Alpha Kappa Lambda put on a Fairly OddParents-themed display.
Kids enjoyed the Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Gamma Sigma Mickey Mouse Clubhouse area.
Sigma Kappa, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Tau Gamma and Phi Kappa Theta made a Scooby-Doo-themed display.
Zeta Tau Alpha and Sigma Nu pulled inspiration from SpongeBob SquarePants.
The Homecoming Step Show returned this year after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Members of the MO High Steppers helped kick off the show. The group was founded in 1979.
National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities competed for best skits, strolls and step routine.
This year’s theme was album covers.
Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. performed a Nicki Minaj mashup.
Fans got pepped up for the game on Friday night at the Spirit Rally.
Mini Mizzou wowed the crowd with Tigers’ favorite tunes.
The Mizzou Feature Twirlers showed off their skills with glowing batons.
The Golden Girls also performed at the Spirit Rally.
The Homecoming Parade stepped off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.
The in-person Homecoming Parade averages more than 50,000 participants and attendees. Streaming on the Mizzou Alumni Association Facebook page was also available for those who couldn’t be on site.
Mizzou Cheerleaders were early in the lineup — leading with the iconic “M-I-Z,” “Z-O-U” chant.
The Marching Mizzou Color Guard twirled their flags.
Marching Mizzou performed the fight song and other tunes. The group will head to New York City soon to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
SteerCo members rode atop a Boone County fire truck. This year, nearly 40 students served on the committee.
The Homecoming Parade takes place each year and follows a route through campus and downtown. New to this year's parade was a sensory friendly zone, where participants lowered their volume and turned off bright or flashing lights. The section allowed Tigers with sensory issues to enjoy the festivities in a less overwhelming environment.
A number of student organizations participated in the parade including members of the Missouri International Student Council. They marched holding flags from their home countries.
Phi Mu, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Kappa Alpha Order marched with their Powerpuff Girls-inspired float.
Alpha Delta Pi and Pi Kappa Phi represented the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Members of Mizzou Track and Field represented their team.
Students from the Asian American Association brought music to pump up the crowd.
Kappa Kappa Gamma and Delta Chi celebrated their Looney Tunes float — and had a special appearance by Porky Pig!
Members of the Mizzou Cannon Crew watched the game from the sidelines.
Truman the Tiger and members of the Mizzou Tigers Lair were also there to cheer on their team.
The Tigers beat the Vanderbilt Commodores 17-14.
During halftime, Jeremiah “J” Jordan and Megan Ciaramitaro were crowned Homecoming royalty.
The entire Homecoming steering committee was also recognized during halftime. Each was selected to the role following an application and interview process.
