We can almost hear you screaming "Who or what is Hagood Hardy, and what is this doing on this blog"? Hagood Hardy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagood_Hardy) was a composer, and one of his most popular albums was entitled "The Homecoming" [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Homecoming_(album)], featuring the title track (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNbxOqIJ2dM). This sounds eerily similar to something I have heard before, almost like a hymn. Any musicologists out there care to offer your expertise? This looks to be a l-o-o-o-o-o-n-g post, so be forewarned.
The reason for mentioning all of this is that last week was homecoming at Brookings High School. (Our English teachers always taught us to use the word "that" instead of because when we wrote or said "The reason is..." Also, we were not to use "when" or "where" in defining a word). Most of us probably remember homecoming activities lasting for two or three days: coronation would be on Thursday night, followed by a trip to Bobcat Field in Pioneer Park for the bonfire. Friday might be the free movie at the State Theater (anyone remember what some of them were?). The football game, generally at night, was the main event, followed by the homecoming dance. Have these events always been the practice for homecoming? When was the first homecoming?
A little research has provided some answers to these and other questions. The library has copies of many of the BHS "Bobcat" yearbooks. The oldest one is from 1928, and indicates that the second homecoming took place that fall. There was a parade, and a king and queen were named. Thus, the first homecoming would have been in 1927. Was there anything special about that year?
Up until 1926, the high school yearbooks had various names. In 1918, for example, it was called "The Bomb" (https://sites.rootsweb.com/~sdbrook2/Index.htm; https://classof69bhs.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-09-04T15:50:00-05:00&max-results=7; https://classof69bhs.blogspot.com/2014/09/more-on-1918-bomb.html). In 1926, the yearbook was named after our state bird, "The Pheasant." In the 1920's, a recent graduate and standout athlete from State College was hired to coach at BHS. His name was Bob Coffey. At that time, the high school did not have a mascot for the team name; the teams were just called the Brookings team. The sportswriters might use comparisons to animals when writing their stories, such as "The Brookings team clawed their way to victory" or some such metaphor. Evidently, one writer used the term "Bob's cats" in a story, and the name began to stick. It appears that in the winter of 1926, the name "Bobcats" became official.
In many of those years, homecoming was in November, frequently on Armistice Day, Nov. 11 (the name was changed to Veteran's Day on June 1, 1954). In 1940, there was a big blizzard during those days (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_Armistice_Day_Blizzard), and the football game had to be cancelled.
The 1931 Bobcat stated that homecoming festivities began on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1930, with a pep meeting, followed by a short play and bonfire. There was no mention of a king and queen, although a later article from the Broboca in 1963 states that there was a lord and lady for that year. The crowning of the lord and lady would become a tradition in 1932. The football game was played the next day, with the Bobcats defeating the Huron squad 20-0. It would appear that the game was played in the afternoon, as there was a banquet after the game at the Methodist Church. On the program were: the BHS school song; the Huron school song; other selections by a High School trio; an address by Coach Bob Coffey; an oration by Frank Coffey (Bob's brother?); "An Afflicted Choir" by Quartette; an Exhortation by Melford Jesme; a Declamation by Burdette Shelden; a Discourse by Milo Youle; the introduction of the Huron team; and the Finale by Superintendent Martin (he was the superintendent of the school system for perhaps 27 years, retiring in the mid 50's and succeeded by Mr. Horrigan). Why was the game played on Wednesday? Were Thursday and Friday vacation days? Will have to check that out sometime soon; just assumed that those homecoming days were Thursday and Friday.
Also noteworthy from that year was the Girls' Athletic Association (GAA). There was the first soccer tournament, with three freshman teams, and one each from the sophomores and juniors. The sophomores and a freshman team tied in the championship (evidently they did not have a shoot out). The juniors were basketball champions, while the freshmen claimed the volleyball crown. The yearbook pictures indicate that the volleyball games were played outside, as the "Red Castle"
seems to be in the background. This building was replaced by Central Elementary just a few years later (does the cornerstone indicate a 1936 date?)
Some familiar names were seniors that year: Margaret Bartling, Harriet Bortnem, Lovaine Braley, Jewell Chase, Horace Clarin, Allan Dempster, Irwin Gunsalus, Ruby Lefevre, Maxine Linn, Maynard Lovre, Barth Maher, George Messner, Nellie Nussbaum, Lyle Otterness, Burdette Shelden, Vida Telkamp, Hazel Trygstad, and Leroy Ullman.
Some of the juniors were John Beatty, Marcella Beneke, Arlen Braley, John Clarin, Ruth Flittie, Dave Flittie, Dorothy Hoy, Harley Kabrud, Maxine Kennard, Herb Lakeman, Charlie Linn, Medora Lombard, Alice MaComb, Alice Maher, Lemuel Melcher, Harlan Otterness, Marvin and Palmer Oines, Cora Rude, Altie and Marvin Sterud, Wilma Telkamp, Vernon Ullman, Iola Ust, Frances and Leon Wilber.
The 1932 annual was dedicated to Mr. Horrigan. For that school year, Bobcat Day was on Oct. 24, 1931, which would have been a Saturday. The pep meeting was held in the auditorium (the gym at Central?) on the previous day, with Lily Dahl chosen as queen. The football team was introduced, after which each class performed a football-related skit. The teachers even formed a band to exhibit their talents and school spirit (anyone remember the "Bell Special", pronouncing the letters of Bobcats? B--rah-rah; O--rah-rah; B--rah-rah; C--rah-rah; A--rah-rah; T--rah-rah; S--rah-rah). The bonfire concluded the night (was there a snake dance to Bobcat Field?
Yankton won the football game 12-6. After the game, both teams were treated to a banquet at the Methodist Church, following a similar format to last year's program.
Homecoming of 1940 was interrupted by the famous "Armistice Day Blizzard" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1940_Armistice_Day_Blizzard). According to the annual, a pep meeting was held on Thursday, with the last year's Lord and Lady crowning the new Lord and Lady, a tradition that eventually died out (more on that later). As mentioned previously, the game was cancelled because of the blizzard. The following articles from the Brookings Register and Broboca provide a nice recap of homecoming better than I can.
The article below is from the Broboca, indicating that the game has been cancelled due to the storm, but the banquet will still be held.
A couple of other articles of interest concerning the school were in the paper about the same time.
Although this may be hard to read, it indicates that "State College be allowed to use the football field for three evening (my emphasis) games, September 27, October 4, and November 4, for which the college is to pay all expenses of the games and a percentage of the gate receipts which is to be determined later with R. E. Coffey, State College athletic director." This "R. E. Coffey" had been the coach at BHS mentioned in the previous homecomings.
What seems ironic is that now and for the past 20 or so years, the Bobcats play all of their home football games at the SDSU stadium. Why did the college want to use Bobcat Field? Bobcat Field had lights, while State Field did not. Note also the additional salary of $50 given to four teachers for earning advanced degrees, and the board's "disapproval of hazing which has been by some of the high school students." Nowadays, that behavior might be met with more than disapproval.
Another article that appeared in September of 1940 concerned the state golf and tennis tournaments. 
The main reason this article caught my eye is that Robert Norton is the grandfather of two of my nieces and two of my nephews. Ivan Steen is, I believe, an uncle of Gary Steen, husband of Mary Moulton of our class, while Joseph Moriarty would be an uncle of Greg Moriarty of the class of 1968 (Greg had a number of younger brothers and sisters whom we might know).
Most of us are familiar with the homecoming festivities that occurred while we were in school. Coronation on Thursday night, and snake dance to Bobcat Field for the bonfire. Friday was the football game and dance. Was Red and Black Day on Thursday or Friday? It seems to be on Thursday. Below are some summaries of homecoming weeks from some of the yearbooks. They speak for themselves, and may provide us with some fond memories.
1963
(our 7th grade year)
What is interesting to me is that Lord Mark Sanderson and Lady Janice Kortan had siblings that were also homecoming royalty. Mark's brother Reed was Lord in 1961, while Janice's brother Jim was Lord our senior year. There are only a few families that can claim that honor.
Marlyn Erickson, one of the attendants, grew up on a farm about one half mile straight east of where the new school would be built. That land now contains houses, a church, a school, and numerous business.
The picture below suggests an afternoon football game. Because of a wet Bobcat Field, the game with Madison, which the Bobcats won 38-0, was played at State Field. Again, there was cooperation between the college and the high school. Because of the afternoon game, was there no free movie that year?
The yearbook editors seemed to overlook a couple of crucial facts. They state that Bill Gamble and Paula Arndt were Lord and Lady of Bobcat Day 1963, while Mark and Janice are Lord and Lady of Bobcat Day 1964. However, those dates are their graduation dates. Since homecoming came in the fall of the school year, those dates are incorrect.
Remember Shirley Pharmacy? That business truly embraced the homecoming spirit, as the ad below indicates.
The Broboca on that same date of that year had a brief history of homecoming, as shown below.
Wonder why the dress requirements of 1951 were dropped?
1964
(8th grade)
This was the year of Beatlemania. It would appear that Red and Black Day was Thursday, to get us in the spirit for the pep-fest and coronation to be held later in the evening at the Central Elementary gym. There was a free movie courtesy of Dan Peterson on Friday. Anyone remember what it was? Was it "Your Cheatin' Heart" [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Cheatin%27_Heart_(film)]? I do remember seeing that, but if it was, Mr. Peterson must have gotten permission to show it before the release date of Nov. 4, 1964.
1965
(9th grade)
Again, a pretty typical homecoming: coronation, skits, and introduction of the cheerleaders. Was there no bonfire that year? Anyone remember the free movie? Was it "Billie" [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_(1965_film)], starring Patty Duke? Dale Gregory and the Shouters were a well-known band at the time, and are in the South Dakota Rock and Roll Music Association Hall of Fame (https://www.southdakotarockandrollmusicassociation.com/inductee?id=161)
1966
(Sophomore; last year at the old high school)
1967
(Juniors and a new school)
Nothing really new was added this year, other than we had a new school in which to celebrate. However, we lost the free movie. The bonfire was held on Wednesday after a JV football game Wednesday night (wasn't Wednesday church night, so no school activities were to be be scheduled. Was an exception made because it was homecoming week?). Thursday was the traditional coronation of Lord and Lady, along with a humorous skit by last year's seniors Keith Sutton and Craig Osvog. They poked fun at the lack of missing furnishings at the new school. Remember having no chairs or tables in the library, or furniture for the student lounge? Mr. Bell led us again in the "Bell Special." What was the car parade?
1968
(We are great, we are fine, we're the class of '69)
Three more days of a joyous and satisfying homecoming. Was coronation held on Wednesday then? Red and Back Day was Thursday, with the powder-puff game held on Thursday evening, with the Junior-Senior girls defeating the Freshmen-Sophomore girls 27-20. The bonfire was held right after the game. Did the car parade occur shortly before the football game, in which the Bobcats defeated Pierre 28-13? The victory made the ensuing homecoming dance that much more enjoyable. As mentioned previously, Jim is one of the few homecoming Lords or Ladies to have a sibling who also was a homecoming Lord or Lady.
So what about homecoming now? Homecoming activities now last all week (since Wednesday is church night, no activities are scheduled after school on that day). Below is the schedule for homecoming for this year, 2023:
Monday, Sept 18
- BOBCAT WELCOME - Dakota Prairie Elem / 7:45 AM
- CORONATION - 7:30PM / NOTE: NOT a 7:00 Start / @ BHS Stadium / Burning of the "B" to follow / South BHS Parking Lot
- GOLF - MS / ESD Meet / @ Huron's Broadland Crk / 10:00 / bus - 7:30
Tuesday, Sept 19
- BOBCAT WELCOME - Medary Elem / 7:45 AM
- GOLF - HS / Watertown Invite / @ Watertown Muni. GC / 10: 00 AM / bus - 7:45
- SOC - HS / Home (@ Fishback Soccer Cmplx) vs Harrisburg
- 4:00 - Girls Varsity & Boys JV
- 6:00 - Boys Varsity & Girls JV
- TEN - HS / Dual vs SF Christian / 4:00 / @ Tomar Park / bus - 2:00
- VB - MS / @ Watertown MS / 4:00 / bus - 2:15
- FB - 8th / @ Yankton (Crane Youngworth Field) / 4:15 / bus - 1:15
- FB - 7th / Home (Mick MS) vs Yankton / 4:15
- VB - HS / @ Mitchell / bus - 1:30
- 4:30 - JV & 9A
- 5:30 - 10th & 9B
- 7:00 - Varsity
- CHR & DNC - HS / Huron Invite @ Huron Arena / 5:00 start / bus - 1:45
Wednesday, Sept 20
- BOBCAT WELCOME - Hillcrest Elem / 7:45 AM
- HOMECOMING PARADE ENTRIES DUE ! ! - See the BSD Website if you still want in.
Thursday, Sept 21
- BOBCAT WELCOME - Bobcat Day School / 9:00 AM
- VB - MS / Home vs Yankton / 4:00 start / Mickelson MS
- FB - 9th / Home vs Aberdeen Central / 4:15 / BHS Stadium
- TEN - MS / ESD Tourney / @ Mitchell's Hitchcock Park / 10:00 / bus - 7:15
- GOLF - MS-JV / Home (Edgebrook) vs Sioux Valley / Noon
- XC - HS / Home Russ Strande Invitational / @ Edgebrook GC / bus - 2:45
- 4:00 - MS Girls
- 4:20 - MS Boys
- 4:45 - JV Girls
- 5:15 - JV Boys
- 5:35 - Varsity Girls
- 6:00 - Varsity Boys
- SOC - HS / Home (Fishback Soccer Cmplx) vs SF O'Gorman
- 4:00 - Boys Varsity & JV Girls
- 6:00 - Girls Varsity & JV Boys
- VB - HS / Home vs Huron
- 4:30 - JV (BHS Aux Gym) & 9A (Dakota Prairie Elem Gym)
- 5:30 - 10th (BHS Aux Gym) & 9B (DP Elem Gym)
- 7:00 - Varsity (BHS Aux Gym)
- PEP RALLY - HS / 8:50 / Homecoming Olympics
Friday, Sept 22
- PEP RALLY - @ Camelot / 1:00
- SCHOOL DISMISSES FOR PARADE - 1:30
- 2023 BOBCAT PARADE - 3:00 / Bring your candy bags!
- Starts at intersection of 6th St & 5th Ave...Goes south down 5th Ave...then west on Front St...then goes north on Main...Ends at 6th St - pre-parade line-up on 7th street at 2:15
- FB - HS / Home (Dana J Dykhouse Stadium) vs Douglas HS / 7:00 kick off
- AD Haaland & Coach Velez, please let me know arrival time, starters to be announced and if you need anything
- Game Details will be sent Wed
- BAND - HS / Pre-Game & Halftime Performance
Saturday, Sept 23
- BAND - HS Marching Band / @ Marshall MN Competition / bus - 1:15
There are three elementary schools (grades k-3) now: Dakota Prairie, Medary, and Hillcrest. Camelot is the intermediate school (4-5). Some churches even have their own schools. Mickelson is the Middle School (6-8). Coronation is on Monday, and is held at the BHS Stadium (the running track west of the high school. There was no track there when we were in school. It was not put in until the mid '70s; evidently there was not enough money for it). There were five boys and five girls up for Lord and Lady this year. Last year's Lord and Lady no longer return to crown the new royalty; the crowning is done by a couple of Bobcat Day committee members. Fortunately, the weather cooperated this year. After coronation, the students head to the parking for the burning of the "B" rather than a bonfire that we had. A large, iron "B" is covered in flammable rags and ignited. While football is the main sporting event during homecoming week, there are numerous other athletic contests taking place. The addition of girls' athletics has obviously added games, as has a few club sports, such as soccer for both boys and girls. Marching band also contributes to the homecoming atmosphere. The parade returned about two years ago. There was a parade way back when homecoming first started in the late '20's. There were some thought that it might rival the Hobo Day Parade. However, it did not. It may have died out, and then returned in the late '40's and continued for a few years until about 1953 or so. The parade now has great participation with many businesses and student clubs and teams having "floats" (these are not like the old Hobo Day floats that had colored tinsel. These are mainly flat-beds pulled by big SUV's). There may have been well over 50 entries this year. Notice there is no dance. The football team won handily (https://brookingsregister.com/article/high-school-football-brookings-bobcats-unlock-confidence-in-dominant-homecoming-victory-over-douglas), so homecoming was especially successful and satisfying, as this was their first win of the season, having been routed badly in their previous four games.
The schedule above was compiled by the Activities Director Jeff Dvorak. He is new this year, and came highly recommended. When we get the chance, we will ask him if he is related to a Merle Dvorak. Anyone remember him? If you have easy access to your senior annual, look on page 28. If you don't, here is page 28. Can you spot him?
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