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2020 would have marked 100th anniversary of CMU Homecoming


Band Day began in 1964 as part of the Homecoming Parade

Justin Addison Editor/Publisher
Posted 7/28/20

This year would have possibly marked the 100th anniversary of Central Methodist’s first Homecoming. Records indicate that the first-ever Homecoming for the college was in 1920, but a tradition …

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2020 would have marked 100th anniversary of CMU Homecoming


Band Day began in 1964 as part of the Homecoming Parade

Posted

This year would have possibly marked the 100th anniversary of Central Methodist’s first Homecoming. Records indicate that the first-ever Homecoming for the college was in 1920, but a tradition of an annual football game goes on at least a decade further. According to university records, a traditional football game between (then) CMC and Westminster was played every Thanksgiving, with the game site alternating between Fulton and Fayette. One of the earliest games on record was in 1910, when Central soundly defeated the Westminster Blue Jays 53-0 before a crowd of 3,000.

The first time the term “Homecoming” was applied to the celebration was November 20, 1920, when CMC lost a football game 7-0 to Missouri Wesleyan. It wasn’t until 1925 that the college first crowned a Homecoming Queen.

And it wasn’t until 1927 that Homecoming would evolve into the event that is closer to what we think of today. Bishop McMurry stated that Homecoming, scheduled for November 17 of that year, would not only include an academic holiday for the students, but a holiday for the enjoyment and entertainment of relatives, alumni, and friends. Festivities that year included the dedication fo the new men’s dormitory (now known as McMurry Hall), a parade of floats leading up to the football game against William Jewell, a special dinner for the board of curators, and the ceremony of “Lighting the Homefires” in the hearths of the new dormitory. CMC fell 7-0 on the gridiron.

Records show that the 1948 Homecoming was one of the biggest “in centuries.” Jam-packed streets filled to overflowing as the parade featured more floats and bands than the alumni had seen in years. To top if all off, the Eagles defeated William Jewell on the football field 20-6. 

It was in 1964 that the Central Methodist College Band Day kicked off for the first time. The event coincided with Homecoming.

Led by the CMC Marching Eagles, the parade included 11 or 12 (records are not clear) high school bands from surrounding communities. After the parade, a “high school band pageant” was held under the direction of CMC band directors Ken and Nancy Seward. Jefferson City won first place and was named the best high school band in the parade. Boonville took second place, with Moberly and Clinton finishing in a tie for third.

The 1964 Homecoming festivities concluded with a dance in the Eyrie to music provided by Conway Twitty and his band.

CMU, Homecoming, Band Day, COVID-19

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