The grills were lit, and the drinks cold as RMU students came out in droves this last Saturday in celebration of Homecoming 2012. Tailgating started at about 3 p.m., including RMU Student Life and their inflatable dome, giving out prizes, selling memorabilia and taking photos. RMU Radio kept the music going until 4 p.m. when Antz Marching, a Dave Matthews tribute band, featuring violinist and RMU Communication Department Head Heather Pinson, took over for them.
RMU alumni where welcomed into a tent near the stage where they could enjoy the show and grab a bite to eat.
Everyone eventually made their way down the hill to Joe Walton stadium for the opening ceremony and the main event. Just before the national anthem, RMU drum line was presented with a new snare drum by the Giovengo family, in loving memory of their son Marco.
With the conclusion of the alma mater, RMU received the kickoff from Lafayette and continued to thrill the crowd through the entire game.
At half time, the RMU Jam Blues band kept the excitement up with a lively field show, then moved off into the end zone to witness the crowning of the 2012 Homecoming King and Queen.
Ashley Allem, Alycia Jones, Ellen Lichius, Kiersten Metzger and Sarah Robb were all contenders for Queen and were escorted onto the field in couples by the competitors for King: Alan Buehler, Chris Dobos, Rick Goughnerour, Brady Karlak and Adam Smoley.
In the end, Alan Buehler was crowned King and Kiersten Metzger was crowned Queen.
The cheerleaders, marching band and Colonial Crazies only added to the electricity in the air when RMU kicker Greg Langer went for the all or nothing field goal with 23 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
A silent arena exploded with joy when that kick put the Colonials in position and was only magnified as the clock timed out on Lafayette’s failed attempts to recover. The score board read 31-28 as players and fans surged onto the field to celebrate the Colonials’ first win of the season.
After the Colonials’ victory, RMU students, parents, alumni and football victors alike, turned their attention from the turf to the sky as Pyrotecnico closed out the beautiful September evening with an equally stunning fireworks display.
