Written by Gracie Zieroth
Homecoming 2021 has easily been the best homecoming yet at Crown College! It is safe to say that Homecoming 2022 has big shoes to fill! This year’s school theme is All Things New which was evident throughout the week.
To kick off homecoming week, President Denton was inaugurated as Crown College’s 17th president. President Denton was joined by his family, friends, and Crown community in celebration. Crown’s former president, Joel Wiggins, passed down the Crown medallion to Dr. Andrew C. Denton. President Denton shared his passionate mission for Crown and his love for Jesus. The ceremony was followed by desserts and appetizers that guests enjoyed in the new courtyard. The new leadership has already sparked valuable changes all over campus.
The following day, alumni were invited to Friday’s chapel service. The chapel highlighted Crown’s history, the upcoming weekend events, and the alumni of the year. This year the alumni of the year were Pat and Judy Miesner. They shared their amazing story and hearts for helping families who have lost children. The chapel ended with the new head football coach, Anthony Franz, leading the audience in our school song to create more school spirit on campus.
The homecoming fun continued into the weekend. On Saturday, the Courtyard was packed full of entertainment. The women’s residence halls battled each other in a powderpuff game with the Weldin residents bringing home the championship.
Inflatable and yard games filled the courtyard and Miller Lawn — not only did the kids enjoy these, but students and families did as well. Mario’s Italian Kitchen brought their food truck to serve amazing fresh pizza and tortellini. The Muffin Top Food Truck brought decadent desserts that were school themed! Different departments hosted tents with games and activities. Many people visited the Spirit Tent to get decked out in purple and white with their hair, temporary tattoos, and face paint. The Campus Store also premiered many new clothing items in the courtyard to purchase.
For the first time in Crown history, the football team was led to Old National Bank Stadium through a new addition — the Polar March. The fall athletes rallied fans with pom-poms and school spirit to gather around ballon arches placed across Miller Lawn to welcome the football team. Storm fans showed up with an electric energy and the stands were full for every athletic event of the weekend.
The Crown community has always been something that has set Crown apart from other schools and it was unmistakable at homecoming. Crown College welcomed home alumni, current students, future students and staff. The atmosphere for the whole weekend was unmatched and something that everybody craved after a difficult year of being apart.
People enjoyed endless options for lawn game competitions followed by the long standing tradition of the Boat Regatta in the front pond.
The long standing tradition of the Regatta races continued at the front pond this year (in previous years the Regatta was held at Miller Pond) which resulted in a large turn out. Many boats sank, only a few swam. Making every part of homecoming truly unforgettable.