by Jessica Del Curto
Daily Lobo
Vince Baca said in 1982, he was the antithesis of Homecoming
King.
"I was pretty overweight and I was in the marching band," he
said. "I ran against these classic good-looking guys who were
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really involved."
Baca, who was crowned Homecoming King that year, said in
the end, it was the strong backing of his fellow marching band
members - all 300 of them - that helped him win.
"I have no doubt that was a big part of the vote I received - I
am sure," he said.
Baca said when he was named, he was sitting with the rest of
the band wearing his uniform, and had to run onto the fi eld and
stand with the rest of the candidates who were wearing classy
suits.
"Back then we had really bad band uniforms," he said. "Heavy
black wool and tall black hats, and it was hotter than heck.
You can imagine the Homecoming pictures looked terrifi c."
Sixteen years earlier, Carol Dyche was crowned Homecoming
Queen.
"It was a very big deal on campus back then," she said. "The
queen represented the school and met different dignitaries that
came on campus."
She said in 1966, candidates had to be nominated by a campus
organization. She was part of the Newman Center, a religious
organization. The student government interviewed each
candidate, 75 initially, and narrowed it down to the 20 the student
body voted on. The queen was then fl own onto the fi eld in
a helicopter during halftime.
"I had never been in a helicopter before," she said. "That was
really exciting for me."
Initially, the election was only for a Homecoming queen, and
Baca was one of the fi rst Homecoming kings.
Carlos Guillen was crowned Homecoming King last year.
"It's just kind of the culmination of school spirit and being
proud of the city of Albuquerque and the state that UNM is in,"
Guillen said.
He will be at this year's coronation to help crown the next
Homecoming King and Queen. Guillen said the things the candidates
had to do paid off in the end. Candidates are expected to
participate in the games and spirit competitions held throughout
the week, as well as volunteer during Fall Frenzy, a campus beautification
project.
"Not only was I doing this election thing, but I was also helping
out the community," he said.
He said Homecoming week isn't just for students. It's also for
the alumni who donate time and money to the school.
Baca agreed, saying the alumni breakfast that took place after
the game was really interesting. He said he met older people who
were so excited to be apart of Homecoming.
"That part of the tradition is really neat," he said.
Matt Maez, Homecoming chair for ASUNM, said unlike past
elections, any student can now run for court, they don't have to be
nominated by an organization.
"Candidates go through a series of events in order to qualify,"
he said.
Fall Frenzy, karaoke and a pep rally are just a few.
"It represents some of the really great people at UNM," he
said.
There are 17 candidates running this year.
Baca said essentially, Homecoming court is a popularity contest,
but he would encourage his children to run if they wanted
to.
"As long as they keep their perspective and have fun with it. If
you go into it saying 'This is my life-long ambition, my whole being
and identity as UNM alum,' then that would be sad," he said.
"You've just got to take it all in stride. It's just a fun thing."
