History of HOCO

By Evie Craft '27

With Visitation’s inaugural homecoming occurring this past weekend, the origins of this iconic high school tradition are often unknown. Beginning in the early 20th century, it was not high schools that first participated. In fact, it was colleges like Baylor and Mizzou that welcomed alumni back to the college during the football season. In the 1920s and 1930s, high school football teams and school organizations began picking up on this festive tradition of a yearly “homecoming,” though they soon added the dance aspect following the actual game.

Schools, and even states, have often added their own twist to the initial concept of homecoming games and dances. Texan high schools, for example, celebrate homecoming dances by creating mums (giant chrysanthemums with cowbells, feathers, LED lights, and much more). Additionally, at Mizzou during the homecoming season, they hold one of the largest student-run blood drives in the United States.

Although today’s excitement may be focused on HOCO dresses, powder-puff games, and the homecoming Viz parade, remember the origins of homecoming as an opportunity to bring the student body together and rally school pride.