The smell of freshly-cooked eggs and the sounds of early-rising Hoyas drifting toward the keg is a pastime reserved for Georgetown’s Homecoming. Students wake up early Saturday morning to partake in a eventful day full of school spirit-which usually means massive drinking binges.
The Friday before Homecoming is unusually quiet, by 9 p.m. many students are fast asleep via Nyquil so that they can be up early for the festivities. For those few who are brave enough to translate a late Friday night into Saturday morning drinking, the inevitable afternoon fiesta is just that much more satisfying.
“I’m going out Friday night, funneling 20 beers Saturday morning, then passing out til’ my next class on Monday,” John Pena (SFS ‘05) said.
Some will never even make it to the 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tailgate which will be held in the McDonough parking lot for the second consecutive year. And for those who do, it is usually a hazy walk from the beer-filled dorms of Henle and off-campus houses of Burleith all the way to the Southwest Quad. Within the roped-off area of the McDonough parking lot lies one huge Saturday night Village B party. Students pack like club-goers trying to get their cup to one of the numerous kegs, people urinate in the corners and drunk kids almost always starting fights. It’s an amazing scene.
The format of the tailgate has changed drastically in recent years. No longer can students take in the game from their cars in Lot T where the tailgate used to be held. The smaller McDonough venue has toned down the rowdy atmosphere somewhat.
Of course, not all students think of Homecoming as one big drinking orgy. Some have been put off by the flat fee of $15 ($10 if you register early) that is now being applied to people even if they do not drink.
Aside from the tailgate, other events include Georgetown Program Board’s Funniest Act on Campus show Friday night in Gaston Hall at 7 p.m. Another attraction that might be worth seeing-or avoiding- is the hordes of recent graduates who infiltrate campus to relive their glory days once more.
But for most students the day will be remembered as a paradoxically clich?d yet cherished college day, a crisp fall afternoon full of debaucheries and absolutely no recollection of who won the football game.
