Their motto is eternal vigilance. Their loyalty is to the University of Arizona. They are in charge of organizing nearly every event associated with Homecoming.

They are the Bobcats, a student group that, according to the their Web page, was founded to preserve the unity and welfare of the UA.

“”It’s kind of our school’s historic honorary society, and it just speaks volumes about not just our organization but of the history of the school, that something like that has been maintained,”” said Daniel Butler, club president.

The club started preparing for this year’s Homecoming about eight months ago, but the bulk of the work was done this year to get funding, he added.

Charles Wollin, senior honorary Bobcat, said in terms of building up Homecoming, every member of the club has a task. Wollin said some members worked with the ASUA club resource center, others organized the parade while some focused on fundraising and sponsorship.

“”We all support one another and we are a good team,”” he said. The club selected this year’s theme, “”There’s no place like home,”” around April, Woolin said. Once they had that particular decided upon, the Bobcats started planning Homecoming.

“”We got a lot of help from the Alumni Association … It’s pretty intricate and has been a long time coming,”” Butler said. He added that it is also a way for former students to rediscover UA.

“”There’s a lot of disconnect between alumni and a school so what Homecoming does is allow alumni to check … and get to see what going on. It’s their reconnection with the school.

“”Tradition is kinda what you have when you leave the school. You spend your time here … you do your classes and you have your fun, but when you … think back about your school, what sticks out are the traditions. That’s the importance of it. The Alumni Association and the Bobcats, we’re kinda the guarders of that tradition,”” Butler said.