In 1929 Rockford had their first homecoming football game.
I am not sure if there has been a homecoming game each year
since that time, but I do know that Rockford has followed
the tradition annually since I came here in 1960. I also
know that Rockford school yearbooks prior to 1960 often
mention homecoming, so I think our school system has had
many of them. Most high schools today have their homecoming
ceremony in the fall at a football game, and to the best
of my knowledge, all of Rockford’s ceremonies
have followed that scenario.
My first experience with a Rockford homecoming was
in the fall of 1960. We were about to move from the high
school on North Main Street to the new school on Ten Mile
Road. As I recall, the move did not take place until early
in November, so the homecoming was held in the old high
school. At that time, and still today, the queen, king,
and court were chosen by the students. The queen and king
were revealed at an all school assembly. The first assembly
that I attended took place in the gymnasium on North Main
with the stage on the east end of the room becoming the
focal point for the proceedings.
I could be mistaken, but I think the captain and
perhaps the coach of the opposing football squad was invited
to speak at the assembly back then, as was Rockford’s
captain and coach. Does anyone remember if this was done?
All of the classes including the junior high and, I am told,
some school organizations made floats that were judged and
awarded first, second or third places. These floats were
led by the Rockford High School band and cheerleaders on
a parade through the town of Rockford. The 1961 Rockford
High School yearbook shows that the eighth grade float entitled
“Our Fairest Lady” won first place in 1960.
The 1960 queen was Kirsten (Carlson) Farmer and the
king was John Austin. They probably rode through town in
cars (convertibles). That was the custom for a long time
at our homecoming parades. The members of the court did
the same thing. Later in the evening the floats were displayed
at the football game, usually being pulled around the field
in front of the home and visitor’s stands. All of
the royal party were presented along with their parents
at halftime.
Over the years our school system has undergone many
changes, and homecoming has changed in some ways also. Problems
with floats and location of the school outside of the city
have ended the float and parade part of the homecoming ceremony.
The four high school classes now each make a banner. The
banners are shown before the game and are judged by the
newest athletic hall of fame inductees. For the rest of
the school year, the banners are on display in the high
school cafeteria.
Since 1990, with the start of the Rockford Athletic
Hall of Fame, a banquet to honor the inductees is held on
Wednesday of homecoming week. Then, on the night of the
game (Friday) the inductees are presented to the homecoming
crowd shortly before the game. At Rockford the queen, king
and court are honored at halftime. Many schools now make
their presentations after the game, but we have kept our
halftime tradition.
Often, the homecoming dance has been held in the
high school on a Saturday, the day after the game. From
the beginning, homecoming was meant to include, at least
for the game part, graduates or alumni of Rockford High
School. Sometimes, football teams from our past have been
invited back as special guests for the contests. Today,
it is very evident that many alumni do come back to see
the game and cheer on the Rams. Some classes even plan their
reunions to coincide with homecoming.
Often in the past and now on an annual basis, a football
game between the girls of the senior and junior classes
has been held. In 1999, as in the past several years, the
game took place on Thursday of the week. The 1999 contest
was one of the best I have seen as far as good sportsmanship
and fun were concerned. The 1999 touch football game was
won by the seniors, 27-7.
Rex TenEyck, one of the athletic hall of fame
inductees in 1999, played in the first homecoming battle
won by Lowell 19-0 in 1929. There is a good possibility
that some Rockford player or coach who participated in the
game Friday October 13, 1999 against West Ottawa (won by
the Rams 35-20) will become a hall of fame member in the
future.
Homecoming and the athletic hall of fame are positive
Rockford traditions. We can be proud to offer both of them
and we need to continue to support them. Homecoming week
is a time for much celebration and excitement in our town,
and I hope the readers take the opportunity to take part.