Homecoming 2021: A Return from the Pandemic
By Samantha Carey
November 23, 2021
Image Credit: Samantha Carey for The Campus Trainer
After almost two full years of the pandemic, things on campus are looking up, with vaccines distributed and events. As a sophomore on campus, this was my first real Homecoming experience, and it did not disappoint. The main event I attended this weekend was the football game v. Indiana University, but I wasn’t alone.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Keen
On Friday, Oct. 29, a group of my friends and I went to the Homecoming Terp Carnival, which was held at Adele H. Stamp Student Union. While usually taking place outdoors, rain forced the carnival to be moved inside.
I was disappointed to not see the fireworks, but I still had a great time walking around, seeing students and saying hello to Testudo. It is refreshing to see the campus alive again with students getting involved in campus activities.
Before the carnival, I went out to dinner at Ledo Pizza with my uncle, a UMD alum, making for a good day spent with good company.
I was disappointed to not see the fireworks, but I still had a great time walking around, seeing students and saying hello to Testudo. It is refreshing to see the campus alive again with students getting involved in campus activities.
Before the carnival, I went out to dinner at Ledo Pizza with my uncle, a UMD alum, making for a good day spent with good company.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Keen
On Saturday, Oct. 30, I went to the alumni tailgates set up by Greek life across campus. My father, Phil Carey, who is also a UMD alum, came down from New York for the weekend. I was able to spend some time with him and walk around, seeing the revival of campus life, especially before a Homecoming game.
“Walking the campus this Homecoming weekend brought me back decades ago,” he said. “The campus was beautiful in all its fall season glory with its oaks, maples and other assorted species turning their leaves’ colors,” he added.
“The sound of the marching band practicing in the distance hit me with a great feeling of nostalgic comfort,” he said.
“Walking the campus this Homecoming weekend brought me back decades ago,” he said. “The campus was beautiful in all its fall season glory with its oaks, maples and other assorted species turning their leaves’ colors,” he added.
“The sound of the marching band practicing in the distance hit me with a great feeling of nostalgic comfort,” he said.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Catherine Waite
I saved the red shirt (pictured above) that I received as a gift before starting college for Homecoming. Since we did not have any in-person games last year, it was even more exciting to dress up for the game. I tried to rep the UMD school colors and had to add a jacket because of the chilly weather that has begun to creep in on campus.
Fun fact: the denim jacket I am wearing in the picture above has a tiny little Maryland flag on it. Showing UMD pride is one of my favorite things to do before football games.
Fun fact: the denim jacket I am wearing in the picture above has a tiny little Maryland flag on it. Showing UMD pride is one of my favorite things to do before football games.
Image Credit: Samantha Carey for The Campus Trainer
After meeting up with my father and my friend once again, we took the long trek to the stadium and took in the beautiful fall view. The leaves on campus were just starting to change, but there was still a lot of green.
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Image Credit: Samantha Carey for The Campus Trainer
Before heading into the stadium for the game against Indiana, we got a brief tour inside of the Jones-Hill House football facility from a friend who works for the team. We got to see many of the main rooms, such as the gym and the indoor practice field. The size of the facility is spacious, and it was fascinating to see the updated building for our team.
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Image Credit: Samantha Carey for The Campus Trainer
We finally made it into the stadium as the stands were filling up and the team started playing. This was my father’s first Maryland football game in a long time, so it was nice for me to experience it with him. One of my favorite parts of the game is when the student section rolls out the Maryland flag and shakes it, letting it flow in the wind.
It was a pleasant sight to see so many UMD students, alumni and others there supporting the Terrapins, especially after the pandemic.
Angela Pajic, a junior kinesiology major, said she does not really remember Homecoming her freshman year. However, after joining Greek life, she grew appreciation and understanding for “alumni coming back to visit.”
“It’s not about the game or school pride,” Pajic said. “Those matter, of course, but more than anything it’s just an excuse to see your friends again and take a break from the post-college world for a minute,” she said.
Julia Felrice, a senior biological sciences major with a specialization in cell biology and genetics, also does not remember much excitement surrounding Homecoming until she joined Greek life.
“This Homecoming was so much more special because of prior distancing and online learning that kept us away from one another,” Felrice said.
“It was even more special when alumni came back and all of us joining together,” she said.
Alexis Kagarise, a senior animal science major, said she missed the social aspects of Homecoming. Kagarise said being able to be back in-person and attend events made the entire week fun.
It was a pleasant sight to see so many UMD students, alumni and others there supporting the Terrapins, especially after the pandemic.
Angela Pajic, a junior kinesiology major, said she does not really remember Homecoming her freshman year. However, after joining Greek life, she grew appreciation and understanding for “alumni coming back to visit.”
“It’s not about the game or school pride,” Pajic said. “Those matter, of course, but more than anything it’s just an excuse to see your friends again and take a break from the post-college world for a minute,” she said.
Julia Felrice, a senior biological sciences major with a specialization in cell biology and genetics, also does not remember much excitement surrounding Homecoming until she joined Greek life.
“This Homecoming was so much more special because of prior distancing and online learning that kept us away from one another,” Felrice said.
“It was even more special when alumni came back and all of us joining together,” she said.
Alexis Kagarise, a senior animal science major, said she missed the social aspects of Homecoming. Kagarise said being able to be back in-person and attend events made the entire week fun.
Image Credit: Samantha Carey for The Campus Trainer
Before watching the Terps win against Indiana, we were able to watch the Mighty Sound of Maryland up close and cheer on the band.
Ultimately, this Homecoming was not only a fun first-time experience for me, but it was also a special time for the upperclassmen, as we return to some form of normalcy.
Ultimately, this Homecoming was not only a fun first-time experience for me, but it was also a special time for the upperclassmen, as we return to some form of normalcy.