The Victory Lane tradition dating back to the 1980s will continue even though Homecoming -- Oct. 4-10 -- has a different feel this year. Alumni, employees, friends and future Cyclones can virtually paint Victory Lane by submitting a drawing by Oct. 1 that represents the 2020 theme: Cardinal and BOLD.
A square to help cover the traditional grid in the Iowa State Center parking lot can be done on paper, canvas, a sidewalk or any other creative way Cyclones can think of. Take a photo of the design and email it to be part of the gallery for all to see.
There is a full week of activities -- including Cyclones Everywhere bingo and virtual campaniling -- celebrating Homecoming, culminating in the football game against Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. The Homecoming game was originally set for Oct. 17, but the schedule changed due to the pandemic, said Carole Gieseke, assistant vice president of communications at the alumni association.
"I think alumni love the Homecoming traditions," Gieseke said. "This year will be completely different with not a lot of people coming back, but we want the alumni to still feel like it is a special time of year."
The Homecoming Central Committee -- made up of current ISU students -- helped plan virtual events to get as many Iowa State alumni involved as possible.
"While we wish that we could hold events in-person, we are proud to partner with our Homecoming Central Committee students to provide familiar traditions to Cyclones everywhere and some new opportunities that may continue in future years," assistant vice president for constituent engagement Katie Lickteig said.
Despite a mostly virtual format, Homecoming buttons still can be ordered. Digital Homecoming swag also is available for free download.
