HOMECOMING 2022

HOMECOMING 2022

In early June, the Campus Life program assistants began planning the 2022 Homecoming Week festivities. The university had just announced that Homecoming would be celebrated on October 22, coinciding with the game against the University of Mississippi. As the Campus Life team brainstormed and deliberated, three captivating theme proposals emerged: "Return of the Mik(e)," "Calling Baton Rouge," and "Welcome to the Jungle." Among these, "Welcome to the Jungle" stood out, capturing the imagination of campus groups with its dynamic blend of 1980s rock and roll aesthetics, inspired by the iconic 1987 Guns N' Roses song of the same name. The "Welcome to the Jungle" theme would transport LSU back to the electric 1980s, offering a week filled with rock and roll-themed events that promised to be an unforgettable experience. The lineup included exciting events like Splatter Beat, Guitar Hero & Midnight Feast, The Concert, Queen, Rock and Reauxl, and culminating in Rock the Rebels.

Splatter Beat, a colorful affair, featured paint-filled buckets and vibrant music, where students could revel in a joyous mess of colors. For 2022, the Campus Life program assistants and Residential Hall Association (RHA) representatives envisioned an enhanced version of Splatter Beat, complete with a small stage, a DJ, and paint squirters, aiming to replicate the vibrancy of the University of Connecticut's SUBOG Block Party produced by Groove Boston.

Guitar Hero & Midnight Feast promised to transform Tower Drive into a culinary and entertainment extravaganza featuring food trucks, giant board games, and video game trucks that would electrify the atmosphere.

The Concert was slated to host an A-list musician, poised to rock the night. Although the idea of a three-artist show was discussed, it was ultimately ruled out due to budget constraints and tight booking timelines.

Queen was designated as the night for LSU's Non-Panhellenic fraternities and sororities to shine, featuring NPHC's annual step show with a rock and roll twist.

Rock and Reauxl would magically turn the Student Union Ballroom into a glow-in-the-dark roller rink, promising a night of excitement and nostalgia for students.

Throughout the week, various daytime events were designed to immerse students in the complex lives of famous rockstars while addressing everyday experiences shared by both students and musicians. Recognizing that challenges related to drugs and sexual health are prevalent in both college experiences and the lives of rockstars, the program assistants conceived a unique event titled How to Live the Rockstar Life. This event was envisioned as a comprehensive resource hub, offering students valuable information on sexual health and wellness while providing insights into the risks associated with drugs they may encounter on college campuses. Attendees would leave with a safe sex toolkit and a Nightcap drink cover, empowering them with knowledge and practical tools to make informed choices. Another event in the lineup was the Rage Room. Designed as an innovative stress-relief outlet, this room allowed students to jot down their stressors on a plate and unleash their pent-up emotions by smashing them in a controlled and safe environment. It was meant to be a therapeutic experience aimed at helping students blow off steam and regain their sense of balance. These daytime events would have added an intriguing dimension to the "Welcome to the Jungle" theme while highlighting the importance of addressing real-life challenges faced by college students in a creative and engaging way. How to Live the Rockstar Life and the Rage Room promised to be unique and impactful additions to the Homecoming week festivities.

The grand finale, Rock the Rebels, would take center stage during the Homecoming game, featuring the presentation of the LSU Homecoming Court. It was a week bursting with energy and creativity, promising to make Homecoming 2022 an unforgettable celebration of rock and roll, nostalgia, and school spirit.

Recognizing the need for enhanced promotion of the Homecoming festivities, the program assistants presented a series of dynamic marketing strategies to actively engage with the student body:

  1. Campus-Wide Broadcasting: To ensure that no student missed out on the excitement, events would be broadcast on all announcement screens throughout campus. This approach aimed to capture the attention of students from various corners of the university.

  2. Purple Campus Illumination: A visual spectacle was planned to signify the kickoff of Homecoming Week. Various campus lights would be transformed into a vibrant shade of purple, creating an unmistakable and immersive atmosphere that would signal the arrival of this special celebration.

  3. Law Center Banners: The LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center would serve as a canvas for eye-catching banners adorned with graphics from the 1980s campus, prominently featuring the Homecoming 2022 theme. These banners would add a nostalgic touch and serve as iconic landmarks throughout the event.

  4. Student Union Signage: The LSU Student Union would be transformed into an informative hub with signage prominently displaying all of the week's events. This centralized information hub would help students easily access and plan their Homecoming Week experiences.

  5. Homecoming Ambassadors: Homecoming ambassadors would be equipped with gift boxes containing the week's merchandise. They would promote the week's events on social media and during tabling events across campus, creating a buzz and generating excitement among their peers.

  6. Dedicated Social Media Channels: Dedicated social media channels would be established to amplify Homecoming's online presence. These channels would feature captivating graphics reminiscent of the Rolling Loud Festival, capturing the essence of the rock and roll theme and ensuring that Homecoming was a topic of conversation on various digital platforms.

  7. Homecoming Theme Announcement: Held during Welcome Week, the theme announcement event would be a night to remember. Students would experience the grand unveiling of the Homecoming theme at the event on a massive banner. The event would feature free food, breathtaking fireworks, and live music. Attendees would have the chance to snag exclusive Homecoming merchandise as a keepsake of the event. But the key element would be the opportunity for a select few to win a VIP Homecoming concert experience.

These innovative marketing strategies would ensure maximum visibility and engagement and infuse Homecoming with an electrifying and immersive atmosphere, making Homecoming 2022 an unforgettable celebration for all.

Return of the Mik(e)

Calling Baton Rouge

Welcome to the Jungle

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