Anderson Center was a flurry of red and grey as the Piper Rally kicked off Homecoming day. Students, staff and alumni milled about Anderson Forum to indulge in the fun and spirit all around.

“We thought it would be fun to do a tail-gating type event,” junior Macy Hallquist, a member of the Homecoming Planners, said.

The Homecoming Planners took inspiration from tailgating, with games and food.

“We looked at ideas of what we do at a tailgate…play yard games,[eat] food…and we picked all these different activities we could do,” Hallquist said.

There was everything from larger than life games such as Jenga and Pong as well as a photobooth and free food.

“We’re playing the Cobbers so we have corn-on-the-cob and popcorn…a little bit of a crush the Cobbers theme,” junior Mariah Lemoine, a member of the Homecoming Planners, said.

Several other student organizations got involved to help rally everyone up for the Homecoming football game. One was Hamline Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) which got people into the spirit by handing out free T-Shirts. Other groups included Peer Education, Women’s Resource Center, and the Hamline Programming Board (HUPB). HUPB gave away goodies, including sunglasses and headphones.

“It’s about improving the community on campus by having some fun, relaxing events that aren’t academic related,” senior Tom Eichlersmith, a member of Hamline’s Programming Board, said. “[Piper Rally] is really fun! Everyone come over here to hang out and have a good time and get some free stuff.”

Besides just food and apparel, rally-goers also could show some Piper pride by means of the Spirit Squad.

“We’re just getting pumped and ready,” sophomore Gabby Dodd, a member of the Spirit Squad, said. The Spirit Squad could be found handing out pom-poms and banners, providing face painting, and just generally exciting people with their excitement.

Along with food, free stuff and Piper spirit, those at the rally could take the opportunity to learn a bit about Hamline’s history, as was accordant with this year’s homecoming theme of Throwback to ‘67. Hamline’s Anthropology Department had a table set up explaining their Excavation Project.

“It’s been a project… that gives us some context on Hamline and how it got here,” junior Avery Marshall, a member of the Anthropology Society Executive Board, said. She explained some of the artifacts the project has helped to uncover throughout the years, some even being from 1967.

“Hopefully some alumni from 1967… will write down a story of different buildings on campus… to show Hamline’s history throughout the years,” junior Hannah Klumb, a member of the Anthropology Society Executive Board, said.

One such alumni who had a story to share was Sherry Bjostad, a graduate from 1977.

“I liked the small classes and getting to know the professors; those are good things for me,” Bjostad said. She also commented on her how she enjoys seeing everyone on campus during Homecoming weekend.

This seemed to be mirrored by current students who also enjoyed the coming together of various Hamline Pipers.

“It was cool to see all the generations of Hamline together,” first-year Lilly Warner  said.