What a Week of Angelo State University's Homecoming!

From the pep rally to the bonfire to the parade, and of course, the football game, Angelo State University students, fans and alumni has a busy week of homecoming events.

The festivities started last Sunday with a brisket cook-off sponsored by ASU’s Homecoming Committee, but everything really got going on Friday night, starting out with the Rams’ traditional bonfire. The flames and smoke could be seen rising in the night sky from blocks away, and the crisp autumn air warmed the closer one got to the fire. ASU students crowded the field around the bonfire taking selfies while little Ram fans chased one another around in the darkness.  And of course, college sweethearts of all ages held hands around the fire. ASU students and student organizations came out in full force and stayed until the bonfire began to smolder, keeping the party going well into the night.

Saturday morning, downtown San Angelo was painted with blue and gold as the annual homecoming parade took to streets. The Southside Lion’s Club filled the air with the enticing smell of their freshly made pancakes as fans waited for the parade to begin, and folks lined the streets with lawn chairs, some even taking to sitting on the curb to ensure that they got the best view for the parade. Delta Zeta sorority, the Angelo State Cheerleaders, countless student organizations, and of course, the homecoming court, made the crowd filled with both old and young cheer as their cars and floats passed by. Of course, Roscoe, the Angelo State mascot, stole the show as children squealed as he made his appearance.

After the parade, fans headed to the LeGrand Alumni Center for the 2015 Homecoming tailgate. On one side, alumni and ASU families filled the air with barbeque smoke and lined the parking lot with their tents. On the other, ASU students blared hip-hop music and played carnival style games while carrying their Sonic and Solo cups through the crowds. Football players mingled throughout the crowd, getting high fives and cheers from students while frat members stood atop their trucks waving ASU flags. In the LeGrand center, the scene was a little less chaotic. Many families sat under the pavilion enjoying music and food while chatting with their friends. The party went strong until about 6:15 p.m.; then, everyone started making their way to LeGrand stadium to see the Rams take on Texas A&M-Kingsville.

It was an exciting game from the kickoff. Fans poured into the stadium donning their blue and gold, and the cheers could be heard all the way down Knickerbocker for the first Angelo State touchdown. The Rams and the Javalinas went back and forth the entire game, matching one touchdown with another. Although the Rams took an 18-13 lead at the half, they found themselves trailing TAMUK 34-33 with less than 20 seconds into the half. With 11 seconds left on the clock, the Rams completed a 16-yard pass for the touchdown to win the game and beat TAMUK 39-34.