Royal Ending

The weekend was marked by a series of Homecoming events leading up the LSU's victory over Tulane University.

Students celebrated Homecoming with a parade, pep rally, cook-off and decorations.

At the game, the winners of the Homecoming competition were announced. For the overall week-long competition the winners were a team comprised of Chi Omega, Pi Kappa Phi and Kappa Alpha Order.

In the decorating competition there were four categories. The winners of each category were: Delta Zeta, Phi Kappa Psi and Delta Kappa Epsilon; Delta Delta Delta, Lambda Chi Alpha and Theta Xi; Horseshoe Halls; and the Ag Administration.

The winner in the parade competition was the Chi Omega, Pi Kappa Phi and Kappa Alpha Order team.

King and Queen

The Homecoming festivities reached the end Saturday night in Tiger Stadium with the crowning of the 2006 king and queen.

This year's king and queen are Kyle Goldich and Sarah Ford.

Ford, music education senior, said she was just honored to be a part of the Homecoming Court.

"It feels wonderful," Ford said. "It feels really great to be able to represent my student body like this. [The Homecoming Committee] was organized and on top of things. It was great to be around so many students who really care about the University."

The 2005 Homecoming king and queen, Brad Golson and Megan O'Hara, crowned the couple at halftime.

Goldich, marketing senior, said he did not expect to win.

"It's very surreal," Goldich said. "Just the fact that by getting involved something like this could happen. I'm numb right now. It was a privilege to be selected to be in this position, and to have my peers select me is special."

After the presentation of the court, O'Hara was surprised with a marriage proposal from her boyfriend.

Cook-off

There were bacon-wrapped stuffed pork tenderloins, stuffed grilled jalapenos, stuffed mushrooms, chocolate pecan cake and stuffed grilled apples being served up in Free Speech Plaza on Saturday.

The Homecoming Committee organized a tailgating cook-off.

This was the first year the Homecoming Committee organized a cook-off. The committee came up with this idea in hopes of starting a new tradition at the University.

"It is something to partake in and create a new tradition at LSU," said Marissa Joseph, psychology junior and committee member.

The cook-off included three different categories: appetizers, entrées and desserts.

The six judges were Authur Halbrook, Zoe Morris, John Daniel, Cheryl Fasullo, Nancy Little and Avery Smith-all alumni or staff members of the University.

Those who participated said they did it because they loved tailgating and were spending the day cooking anyway.

"It's more about the tailgating than sitting on the third row," said Jay Ducote, third-row tailgater and political science graduate student. "We cook all day and have a different menu for each game. Lately it has been red beans and jambalaya."

The winners were Cassie Crow, Robert Berg and Katherine Rachal.

Pep Rally

The rain did little to dampen Tiger spirits at the "Fightin' Tigers: The Legend Continues" pep rally at the Parade Ground on Friday night.

Despite the rain, students kept spirits up by playing games of red rover and Frisbee while members of the Homecoming committee tossed ponchos into the soaked crowd.

Other students took refuge from the rain under tents and even the stage, which had been set up for use during the pep rally.

After a delayed start, the pep rally was moved indoors to the Cotillion Ballroom in the Union.

Neil Mathews, vice chancellor of Student Life and Academic Services, led the event.

"Tonight all of you are heroes," Mathews said to the enthusiastic crowd, keeping with the Homecoming theme, "Where heroes are made."

Mike the Tiger and the cheerleaders led the crowd in cheering while sororities and fraternities showcased their own cheers. Student Government president Chris Odinet introduced the 2006 Homecoming court.

Andrew Dunckleman, political science senior and member of the 2006 Homecoming court, said he was excited to be a part of the Homecoming celebrations.

"Despite the weather this pep rally was a great opportunity to see the LSU community come together," Dunckleman said.

Students said they had fun despite the bad weather.

Glen Davis and Magnum Rolle represented the LSU men's basketball team and gave their support to the football team.

"We're not going to let the rain keep us from having fun," Davis said.

Coach Les Miles, on stage with Justin Vincent, Jessie Daniels and Dwayne Bowe, said he was excited about the upcoming game.

"We enjoy representing this great school," Miles said.

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