The annual event that once brought us Wilbur T. Wildcat, the bonfire at Old Main and the lighting of “A” Mountain, also brings the University of Arizona Homecoming royalty. From 15 candidates each, to the top five and then the crowned king and queen at the pep rally and bonfire the night before, naming Homecoming king and queen has become a special tradition at the University of Arizona.
This year, Homecoming Week kicks off the Sunday before the homecoming game on Nov. 2, with the lighting of “A” Mountain. The first lighting took place in 1967, and although the year it became a tradition is unknown, it has been taking place at UA for many years since. The Bobcats Senior Honorary has kept this tradition alive and are up there every year to help bring light to the “A”. Other Bobcats traditions include hosting the Homecoming Olympics and choosing the Homecoming queen finalists, which they do alongside the Arizona Mortar Board, which selects the Homecoming king finalists.
The Homecoming queen tradition started in 1947 when the first queen was crowned, and in 1983, the first king was crowned. The Bobcats are currently in the process of selecting the queens, which includes getting nominations from different organizations on campus and then hosting mixers and interviews, where they get to know each candidate and select the final five. This year they received around 50 nominations. The Arizona Mortar Board has a similar process, and the two groups work closely together to select the Homecoming court.
Once five queens and five kings are selected, an email will go out to the student body allowing students to vote for Homecoming royalty. While the Bobcats and Mortar Board are behind the entire process, Cambria Swanson, who is a member of the Homecoming Selections committee in the Bobcats, said, “The chosen Homecoming queen and king is solely based on the university, and the most votes per queen and king, so that’s really how we get our main student involvement. We want them to know that they’re a part of this process and selection as well.” Students should expect to see an email during the week of Homecoming where they will get to cast their vote.
The king and queen will be announced at the bonfire, which takes place in front of Old Main on Nov. 7 from 7–8:30 p.m. When the bonfire first started, it took place downtown, but now it has been established in front of Old Main.
“We’re looking for a queen who positively represents the University of Arizona, who goes out of their way to get to know other people on campus and who other people see as a role model, so I feel like it all comes down to character,” Swanson said.
Throughout the week, the Homecoming court is tasked with helping with the Homecoming Olympics and bringing high energy and excitement to the week. After Homecoming and the tremendous efforts put into the week from the queens, many of them stay in contact, and come back the following years.
“It was special to connect with alumni throughout Homecoming week. Meeting previous royalty, reuniting with former mentors from the organizations I was involved in and seeing long-distance friends who had graduated were all highlights of my experience,” Ella Frank, 2024 Homecoming queen, said. “[…] Our ties run deep in Tucson, and I can’t wait to come back this year to celebrate again with current students and alumni alike. It’s such a special experience to reminisce and share that Wildcat pride.”
Homecoming week hosts plenty of Wildcat traditions, and there are many ways for students and alumni to get involved. This year, Red, Blue and You is a new event that will take place on Nov. 2. “It’s a gold gathering for graduates within the last decade, which is a new initiative that we’re bringing here to the University of Arizona Foundation,” Ernesto Cabrera Jr., assistant director of student engagement and recent alumni engagement, said.
“We want recent alumni to feel valued and appreciated and know that they still have a place here, even as they’re trying to navigate their lives post graduation.”
Tents on the mall, which have taken place since 1985, will return, along with the Mud Tug-of-War and Spirit Week. This is the second year a spirit week will be held, but organizations, clubs, staff and faculty are all encouraged to send in photos because their photo could be shown on the jumbotron at the game.
Canned goods and Campus Closet donations are also encouraged throughout this week, which will help organizations and clubs earn more points. Points earned from winning games throughout the week will go towards winning the trophy that lives in the “Swede” Johnson building for alumni. All of these events, and more, can be found on the Alumni website.
Homecoming at UA is an exciting week filled with rich tradition. This event is a good way to bring fun and a positive environment to campus, remind us all of the Wildcat spirit and what we represent.
Voting for Homecoming royalty will open to students on Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. and close on Thursday at 11:59 p.m. the week of Homecoming.
