A Look Back at Homecoming 2019

The week began with sunshine and ended with rain and a heartbreaking 24-21 loss to Southeast Missouri, but nothing could dampen the spirits on JSU Homecoming, October 19, 2019. 

Among the activities on tap for the week were the homecoming showcase and online elections, a carnival on the Theron Montgomery Building lawn, annual alumni reunions, a shrimp boil, and, on Homecoming Day, the parade and homecoming game. The theme for the week— “Put Them Out of Their Missouri”— was plastered around campus on banners, office doors and (slightly soggy) parade floats. In addition to football players and Marching Southerners, on the gridiron on Homecoming Day were future Ballerinas, current Ballerinas, and even a former Miss America and JSU alumna, Heather Whitestone McCallum, who also served as grand marshall of the parade.

At halftime, Homecoming Queen and Abbie Beatty and Harrison Cheatwood were introduced, along with their court: Briana Caudle, Madison Reynolds, Taylor Anne Beckham, Brooke Robinson, Michael Ray, Elie Mulonda, Sean Godfrey and Isaac Graham. 

Also recognized were Alumni of the Year: Dr. Eric Mackey ’92, Alumnus of the Year; Amiko Johnson ’86, Alumna of the Year; Brett Johnson ’15, Young Alum of the Year; Col. Samuel Fiol ’94, Military Alumnus of the Year; Dr. Gina Mabrey ’91, Outstanding  Faculty/Staff Member of the Year; and The Student Alumni Association, Alumni Chapter of the Year. 

Below are some photographic highlights of Homecoming Week 2019. Enjoy!

 
  • The JSU class of 1969 at their Golden Gamecocks Reunion
  • A row of homecoming showcase beauties, holding their rose bouquets
  • Two female JSU students on the ferris wheel at the Homecoming Carnival
  • A volunteer works the cotton candy machine at the Homecoming Carnival
  • Two students enjoy cotton candy and snow cones at the Homecoming Carnival
  • A student enjoys cotton candy in front of the ferris wheel at the Homecoming Carnival
  • SGA President Ulysses Herrera and Acting President Don Killingsworth ride the ferris wheel together at the Homecoming Carnival
  • The 2019 Homecoming Court on the football field during the Homecoming Game
  • JSU Athletic Director Greg Seitz and a Marching Ballerina present Miss America and JSU Alumna Heather Whitestone McCallum with her very own pair of ballerina boots during homecoming halftime festivities
  • Male students wearing body paint and rain ponchos "fear the beak" at the homecoming game in the rain
  • A ballerina wears a rain poncho and a huge smile during Homecoming pre-game festivities
  • A cymbal player for the Southerners plays on in the rain
  • A smiling ballerina in a poncho during pre-game festivities
  • A closeup of Heather Whitestone McCallum's crown
  • Little future Ballerinas, decked out in their Santa Suits and boots, wait to perform
  • The Alumni of the Year on the field during halftime festivities
  • A JSU Gamecock runs in for a touchdown during the homecoming game
  • A JSU Gamecock takes down a SEMO player during a tackle in the homecoming game
  • Homecoming Queen and King, Abbie Beattie and Harrison Cheatwood
  • Two JSU alumni former Miss Alabamas- Teresa Stricklin, first alternate to Miss America; and Heather Whitestone McCallum, Miss America 1995
  • Raindrops reflected in the sunglasses of a ponchoed Marching Southerner
  • A float in the JSU Homecoming Parade features Cocky and a SEMO Redhawk
  • Cocky riding on a vintage red Ford Bronco in the Homecoming Parade
  • Cocky throws a "Fear the Beak" sign during the Homecoming Parade
  • The Marching Southerners, all in ponchos, march in the parade
  • Jenny Howell, riding in a red car, tosses candy at the crowd
  • The J-Club rode in the parade on, appropriately, a pontoon boat
  • The charter members of the Ballerinas prove that you're never too old to march in the parade
  • International students, draped in the flags of their nations, marching in the Homecoming parade
  • Casper Wayne Spears drives his "spider" vehicle in the parade
  • The Southerners drum majors lead the band with their banner
  • JSU cheerleaders, carrying pink pompoms for breast cancer awareness, walk in the parade
  • the J-Club in their pontoon boat
  • The Elite Lettermen spell out the phrase Get Cocky in signs and body paint during the homecoming parade
  • Students view the homecoming banners at the Shrimp Boil
  • Three female students embrace at the shrimp boil
  • Members of the Homecoming Court embrace at the Shrimp Boil
  • Students scoop up shrimp, potatoes, and corn at the shrimp boil