When the University of Illinois debuted their new “homecoming” idea in 1910, inviting current students, faculty, staff and alumni to join together for a special weekend of celebration, it wasn’t long before other Western Conference (Big Ten) schools decided to do the same. And from the very beginning in 1912, Homecoming in Iowa City included, of course, a football game.
While the Hawkeyes had been involved in “conference” football since 1899, it was on November 23, 1912, when the Wisconsin Badgers came to play at Iowa Field, when SUI hosted its first Homecoming football game. Sadly, the Hawks lost that day (28-10), but that didn’t stop Iowa Citians from celebrating that first Homecoming gathering.
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Great pictures and great memories. I am 83 and grew up in Iowa City.
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83 years young! On Iowa – Go Hawks!
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