A decade after its revival, the annual homecoming is thriving and has been restored as a centerpiece of N.C . State tradition.

The origin of the homecoming celebration goes back to the 1920s . It continued to grow in the 1930s, according to Sam Dennis, alumni ambassador president and 2010 Leader of Pack.

“During the ‘ 30s , dorms would put up signs and build floats in support of the team,” Dennis said.

Eventually, a parade down Hillsborough Street became an annual tradition. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Tom Stafford described how the parade was the buzz of campus.

“The parade used to be a big deal in the 1950s and 1960s ,” Stafford said. “A lot of student organizations would design a float and put a lot of time getting it ready and then go down Hillsborough Street.”

During the 1970s , a homecoming king and queen were introduced, now known as the “Leader of the Pack.”

“A central part of homecoming is identifying students who represent N.C . State,” Dennis said. “Instead of it being a beauty competition, it is based on a scale of leadership, community service and scholarship. It’s a great way to recognize students for their contributions in those areas.”

In the 1980s and 1990s , homecoming’s popularity dwindled and it became little more than a football game and a “Red Wolf Rising” banner contest at halftime. The former marvel of homecoming, the parade, was cancelled after 1986 due to a lack of interest.

In 2001, Daryl Willie, former student body president, wanted to restore homecoming to its former glory and organized a parade down Cates Avenue called the “Hyparade ,” the first homecoming parade in 15 years.

A year later, according to Stafford, the planning of homecoming events was transferred from a member in the Chancellor’s Office to a committee in the Student Alumni Association.

Since then, homecoming has added new dimensions and grown.

“A few years ago, the student organization looked to how it could enhance homecoming,” Stafford said. “They looked to add activities throughout the week. One of things they decided to do was name a bell after me, the ‘Stafford Bell,’ to be presented to the student organization with the most school spirit the week of homecoming during halftime of the football game.”

The parade relocated to its original home on Hillsborough Street in 2004. Starting in 2005, activities once again spanned the whole week. Added activities include the pep rally, a concert and a speech from the homecoming speaker.

Also, Stafford mentioned that past student body presidents have been invited to sit in the Chancellor’s Box for the football game in recent years.

“We’ve had a good response to it,” Stafford said. “We have had about 15 of them return for the game. It’s been an important part of the changes.”

Stafford is the grand marshal of this year’s parade and will be there with his grandchildren sporting a black tuxedo. He has worn a tuxedo to the parade every year since its rebirth and it has accidently become a tradition.

“They asked me to ride in the parade and I said I’d be glad to,” Stafford said. “I found out I had a black tie military event and I wasn’t going to have time to change clothes. I put on the tuxedo before I went to the parade and people thought I put on the tuxedo for the parade. They asked me to ride in the parade the next year and said ‘make sure you bring your tuxedo again.’ They thought it was a nice touch to the parade.”

The homecoming theme this year is “Tame the Tigers.” The annual football game between Clemson and N.C . State has been nicknamed the “Textile Bowl” since both universities have world-leading textile schools. Clemson leads the series 51-21-1 and has won the past seven games since 2004, the longest win streak in series history. Despite the Tigers being ranked No. 7 in the nation and currently sitting on top of the ACC’s Atlantic Division, Stafford believes the Wolfpack is primed to pull off the upset.

“I know the Clemson Tigers will be favored to win the game,” Stafford said. “But it’s homecoming and there’s a lot of excitement in the stadium before and after the game. It will be a good chance for a big upset.”