CMU Homecoming Committee pulls everything together

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Homecoming does not just happen on its own.

Behind the fun and games of Central Michigan University’s Homecoming is the committee that puts it all together.

Rock Rally coordinator, parade coordinator and competition coordinators are just a few of the 13 Homecoming Committee members who work hard to make everything run smoothly.

“I have to organize the whole night and arrange an agenda,” said Muskegon senior Jenny Zuzelski, Rock Rally coordinator.

Zuzelski plans the groups who appear at Rock Rally. She has to call everyone from coach Butch Jones to the cheerleaders and dance team — to anyone that needs to be called for the event, she said.

A Rock Rally is basically a Mock Rock, Zuzelski said.

Students perform and are judged by their creativity, choreography, theme, spirit and energy. The winner receives points toward the cups, Zuzelski said.

“(Between) 500 to 700 people (come to Rock Rally),” Zuzelski said.

Parade planning

Saturday’s Parade is one of the biggest events for CMU and alumni who attend Homecoming.

“I contact all the (registered student organizations) on campus and local businesses for participation,” said parade coordinator and Troy junior Kellie DeSchutter.

DeSchutter also organizes all the orders and keeps everything updated for the parade, which starts at 9 a.m. and goes from Lot 22 to downtown Mount Pleasant. This year, the Homecoming Committee tapped Carter Oosterhouse from HGTV to be the Homecoming Grand Marshal.

“I am really looking forward to it,” DeSchutter said. “I am excited.”

Since tailgate is now on Main Street instead of Lot 63 south of Kelly/Shorts Stadium, DeSchutter does not know if this will make the parade better or worse, she said.

“I am worried and excited at the same time,” DeSchutter said.

There are about 45 to 50 different organizations that participate in the Homecoming parade, DeSchutter said.

Weekly planning

Homecoming at CMU is not just about the parade and football games. The competitions that take place during the week are important to the committee, too.

“Basically, we are in charge of overseeing all the competitions,” said Bellaire senior Sarah Schrader, one of two competition coordinators.

The competition coordinators help run the competitions and make sure everything goes smoothly, Schrader said.

The competition manual also is put created by the competition coordinators. They keep track of the points earned by the participants and post them online, Schrader said.

“We are really hoping it doesn’t rain,” Schrader said. “If it is going to be dangerous for people, we won’t hold the event.”