2026 Student Homecoming Competition Guide

How to Register

Student organizations interested in competing must submit an official entry form by Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Register your organization for the Homecoming Competition.

Student Organization Pairings

Student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, are not paired by Student Life & Engagement. Groups may choose to pair with up to three other organizations (four organizations per team). Pairing is only permitted for two events: the Fight Song Competition and the Parade. You do not have to pair for both. Organizations choosing to pair must indicate this on their Homecoming registration form, which is due September 25, 2026.

General Rules and Regulations

These rules govern the events, participants, and competitions of Fall 2026 Homecoming Week. Read them carefully to avoid misunderstandings, incorrect interpretations, and possible disqualification.

1. Official entry forms must be completed and submitted no later than Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

2. All times and deadlines are strictly enforced. Refer to individual event rules for deadline information.

3. Official rules are explained to the judges by Student Life & Engagement. After the initial explanation, judges may interpret rules differently from one another.

4. Organizations or individual members who fail to follow the general rules must meet with the Director of Student Life and Engagement. Any Student Handbook violations will be reported to the Department of Community Care and Standards for disciplinary action.

The Homecoming Red Bowl

The Homecoming Red Bowl is the prestigious award given each year to the student organization that, through successful participation in Homecoming events, demonstrates the greatest amount of participation, talent in specific events, and school spirit.

To earn points in an event, an organization must complete an entry form before the published deadline, be present at the event, and be in good standing. The organization with the most points wins the Red Bowl. In the event of a tie, the organization with the highest score in the Banner Competition is declared the winner.

The winner is announced via social media during the first half of the Homecoming football game and receives a trophy and a $500 prize. The Director of Student Life and Engagement tallies all points and determines the winners, and the score is audited by a non-Student Life staff member.

Additional Awards

The Red Bowl is not the only prize. Each competition and parade entry (float and non-float) awards cash prizes to the first-, second-, and third-place winners in each league:

• First place: $150

• Second place: $100

• Third place: $75

Trophies are provided to the first-place winner of each competition.

Participation Events

For several events, organizations earn points when a set percentage of their members attend. Attendance is calculated from your Govs Connect roster, so make sure it is updated before September 27.

Required attendance by event:

• Bonfire — 50%

• Govs Got Talent — 50%

• Campus Service Project — 50%

• Homecoming Bash — 50%

• Movie Night — 10%

Banner Contest

Organizations paint a flat sheet to be displayed at the Morgan University Center during Homecoming Week. The banner should advertise Homecoming 2026 and instill school spirit while incorporating the theme, "Govcoming: Stream the Tradition."

Banner Rules

1. Completed banners are due in MUC 211 by Friday, September 25, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. You may turn them in starting spring 2026 and SLE will store them until fall.

2. A flat sheet is provided to each organization. Banners should be prepared to hang horizontally and must be thoroughly dry to be accepted. Sheets can be picked up starting March 23 from Student Life & Engagement (MUC 211).

3. Banners must be displayed vertically (longways). Any banner prepared or submitted in a horizontal orientation receives a 4-point deduction.

4. Organizations may rent a projector from SLE on a first-come, first-reserved basis for a maximum of 24 hours at a time.

5. Organizations should include their organization name on the banner and are encouraged to show as much school spirit as possible while incorporating the theme.

6. Only members of your organization may work on your banner.

7. This competition is for individual organizations, not teams. Banners submitted by a team will not be judged.

Banner Judging Scale

• 20% — School spirit

• 20% — Incorporation of the Homecoming theme

• 20% — Creativity

• 40% — Quality of art, color scheme, and workmanship

Banner Rubric

Each criterion is scored from 1 (Needs Improvement) to 5 (Exceptional). The Quality score is doubled.

Creativity

1. Needs Improvement: Lacks originality and imagination; fails to engage the audience or offer new ideas.

2. Satisfactory: Limited creativity; relies on common ideas or lacks innovative aspects.

3. Proficient: Shows creativity and some original ideas.

4. Great: Good creativity and original ideas, but may include familiar elements.

5. Exceptional: Highly original and imaginative; innovative ideas that captivate the audience.

Theming

1. Needs Improvement: Theme is unclear or poorly represented; hard to identify the intended message.

2. Satisfactory: Connection to the theme is apparent but lacks depth or clarity; some elements misaligned.

3. Proficient: Theme is represented, with elements aligning to the intended message.

4. Great: Theme is clear and well-represented, with most elements aligning.

5. Exceptional: Theme interpreted in a unique, compelling way, clearly conveyed through visuals and text.

APSU Spirit

• Needs Improvement: Minimal school spirit; little use of colors, logos, or relevant messages.

• Satisfactory: Some evidence of school spirit, but basic or underdeveloped.

• Proficient: Represents school spirit through colors, logos, or messages.

• Great: Effectively represents school spirit and fosters a positive sense of pride.

• Exceptional: Vividly expresses school spirit; creates a powerful sense of pride and unity.

Quality (score doubled)

• Needs Improvement: Poor craftsmanship; significant errors or lack of attention to detail.

• Satisfactory: Adequate craftsmanship, but noticeable errors or lack of polish.

• Proficient: Solid and presentable craftsmanship.

• Great: Solid craftsmanship with few errors; well-finished and presentable.

• Exceptional: Meticulously crafted with clean lines, well-executed techniques, and attention to detail.

Smash! Bang! Fight Song Competition (S3D — Song, Skit, Stroll, Dance)

Groups create an original song, skit, stroll, or dance that incorporates the APSU fight song. Each organization or team selects one of the four categories.

General Fight Song Rules

1. Each performance must incorporate the Austin Peay fight song, "Smash! Bang!" The entire fight song must be included. Be creative.

2. The competition begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. All performers must be present and checked in by 5:45 p.m.

3. Music must be submitted digitally to kautza@apsu.edu by 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026 (to confirm the time limit). A team representative must meet the production team between 5:30 and 5:45 p.m. at the left side of the stage with a digital copy on a thumb drive. Have a backup copy of your music.

4. If you start and stop your music during the performance, someone from your organization must be backstage to assist the tech professional.

5. Music may not contain vulgar or profane language. This is immediate grounds for disqualification.

6. Performances may not contain profanity or inappropriate gestures. This is immediate grounds for disqualification. SLE staff and judges determine what is appropriate.

7. No disparaging remarks about another student or organization. This is immediate grounds for disqualification.

8. Performances must be no longer than 7 minutes. Timing starts at the first sound and ends when the last person is off the stage. No one may jump off the stage. There is a 10-point penalty for every 15 seconds over the limit.

9. Props may be used if participants remove them from the stage. No confetti, glitter, balloons, pyrotechnics, or similar items may be released before, during, or after the performance. Items left on stage after being asked to remove them result in a 10-point penalty.

10. Absolutely no build-ups, tumbling, or stunts are allowed.

11. All participants must be currently enrolled students listed on the organization's roster. Maximum of 20 people per team.

Categories

• Song — Compose your own song (original or reworded) that incorporates the fight song. Judged mainly on song selection, lyrics, and connection to APSU, Homecoming, and the theme. On-stage choreography is not judged.

• Skit — Create a skit that incorporates the fight song. Judged on theatrical quality (plot/theme development) and connection to APSU, Homecoming, and the theme. Song and dance elements are not judged.

• Stroll — Choreograph a stroll that incorporates the fight song. Judged on creativity, precision, vocal clarity, and connection to APSU, Homecoming, and the theme. Strolls should be original; understand the importance and history of strolling before choosing this category.

• Dance — Choreograph a dance that incorporates the fight song. Judged mainly on choreography and connection to APSU, Homecoming, and the theme. Quality of rewritten lyrics or voiceovers is not judged.

The Fight Song

Fight Song Judging Criteria

• Entertainment / Showmanship — Audience appeal, overall quality, and theme development.

• Originality / Creativity — Must be an original production not used by your or other organizations before.

• School Spirit / Enthusiasm — Maintaining high energy throughout, and showcasing spirit and theme through traditions, mascot, colors, history, and fight song.

• Fight Song — Clarity and accuracy in performing the fight song, done live (not pre-recorded).

• Teamwork — All members participate.

• Category-specific quality — Theatrical quality (Skit), choreography (Dance), musical quality (Song), or precision (Stroll).

Fight Song Rubric — Core Criteria

Each criterion is scored from 1 (Needs Improvement) to 5 (Exceptional).

Entertainment

1. Needs Improvement: Not engaging; no audience connection.

2. Satisfactory: Limited entertainment value; minimal engagement.

3. Proficient: Somewhat engaging; average response.

4. Very Good: Engaging; keeps the audience's attention.

5. Exceptional: Highly entertaining; captivates the audience completely.

Originality

1. Needs Improvement: No originality; completely copied.

2. Satisfactory: Minimal originality; lacks creativity.

3. Proficient: Some original elements, but mostly standard.

4. Very Good: Highly original and creative; stands out.

5. Exceptional: Highly original and creative; stands out distinctly.

APSU Spirit

1. Needs Improvement: No representation of school spirit.

2. Satisfactory: Minimal school spirit; some effort shown.

3. Proficient: Demonstrates school spirit but could be stronger.

4. Very Good: Strongly conveys school pride and camaraderie.

5. Exceptional: Exceptional school spirit; energizes the audience and inspires pride.

Fight Song

1. Needs Improvement: Significant mistakes; unrecognizable.

2. Satisfactory: Several mistakes; somewhat recognizable but unclear.

3. Proficient: Mostly accurate; recognizable with minor issues.

4. Very Good: Very accurate and clear rendition.

5. Exceptional: Flawless, perfectly clear and accurate rendition.

Teamwork

1. Needs Improvement: No evidence of teamwork; performers disconnected.

2. Satisfactory: Some teamwork, but noticeable lack of coordination.

3. Proficient: Good teamwork, but some moments of disunity.

4. Very Good: Strong teamwork; performers worked well together.

5. Exceptional: Outstanding teamwork; seamless collaboration throughout.

Fight Song Rubric — Category-Specific

In addition to the core criteria, you are rated on the category you chose to perform. Each is scored from 1 (Needs Improvement) to 5 (Exceptional).

Theatrical Quality (Skit)

1. Needs Improvement: Lacks stage presence; fails to engage.

2. Satisfactory: Some effort to engage, but not fully effective.

3. Proficient: Good stage presence; engages the audience.

4. Very Good: Very strong theatrical quality; captivates the audience.

5. Exceptional: Exceptional stage presence; an unforgettable performance.

Choreography (Dance)

1. Needs Improvement: Disorganized and poorly executed; hard to follow.

2. Satisfactory: Basic choreography; lacks creativity and precision.

3. Proficient: Good choreography; some creative moments.

4. Very Good: Well-designed choreography; fluid and creative.

5. Exceptional: Outstanding choreography; innovative and expertly executed.

Musical Quality (Song)

1. Needs Improvement: Poor performance; out of tune and unbalanced.

2. Satisfactory: Some good musical elements, but inconsistent.

3. Proficient: Good quality; mostly in tune and balanced.

4. Very Good: Very good quality; strong and harmonious.

5. Exceptional: Exceptional quality; masterful, fully in tune and dynamic.

Precision (Stroll)

1. Needs Improvement: Many errors; lacks accuracy and detail.

2. Satisfactory: Some precision, but many noticeable mistakes.

3. Proficient: Generally precise; a few minor errors.

4. Very Good: Very precise; minor issues only.

5. Exceptional: Flawless precision; perfect attention to detail.

Homecoming Parade

The Homecoming Parade is one of the highest-profile events in the Austin Peay and Clarksville communities. The two parade categories are floats and alternative (non-float) entries. Participating organizations must select one category and cannot enter both.

Organizations can receive reimbursement for purchases: up to $500 per float and $100 per alternative float. These amounts are per entry, not per organization. Reimbursement requests are due by November 1, 2026, and you must submit receipts. Because of the Homecoming date, SLE can purchase supplies in the spring — email for details.

Parade registration closes Monday, September 21, 2026 at noon.

Register your organization for the Homecoming Parade.

Float Entry Rules

1. All float entries must be at North 8th Street tentatively by 10:00 a.m. Any float not checked in with a parade marshal by 10:05 a.m. loses 10 points. This time may change based on the game start time — SLE will confirm by email.

2. Vehicles pulling floats may not have decorations that block the driver's front or side vision.

3. Individuals may ride on floats during the parade, provided the float meets all safety requirements.

4. The driver of the float must not have consumed alcohol within the past 24 hours.

5. Extensions to float beds are not allowed. Floats are limited to one trailer.

6. Floats must have at least one working fire extinguisher on board at all times. Any entry without one is disqualified from competition.

7. Organizations working together must indicate their partnership on the official entry form. Each organization completes its own entry form, acknowledges the partnership, and provides the same float description.

8. Floats must not display profanity or violence of any type. Walk-throughs occur the morning of the parade.

Float Entry Rubric

Each criterion is scored 1 (Needs Improvement), 4 (Satisfactory), 7 (Proficient), or 10 (Exceptional).

Creativity

• 1 — Needs Improvement: Minimal creativity; relies on clichés; unclear theme; limited use of color and materials.

• 4 — Satisfactory: Basic creativity; theme somewhat clear; adequate use of color and materials.

• 7 — Proficient: Good creativity; visually appealing and clearly reflects the theme.

• 10 — Exceptional: Outstanding creativity; original, innovative design with exceptional use of color, materials, and structure.

Theming

• 1 — Needs Improvement: Minimal connection to the theme; confusing elements.

• 4 — Satisfactory: Adequate connection; some relevant elements but inconsistencies.

• 7 — Proficient: Effectively represents the theme; cohesive design.

• 10 — Exceptional: Powerfully embodies the theme; imaginative and deeply engaging.

APSU Spirit

• 1 — Needs Improvement: Minimal school spirit; little use of colors or logos.

• 4 — Satisfactory: Some school spirit, but basic or generic.

• 7 — Proficient: Good school spirit; colors, logos, and themes present.

• 10 — Exceptional: Outstanding school spirit; vibrant and prominent. Must include a welcome-home message to alumni.

Engagement

• 1 — Needs Improvement: Minimal engagement; little interaction or enthusiasm.

• 4 — Satisfactory: Limited engagement; minimal interaction.

• 7 — Proficient: Engaged; interacts with the audience with varied enthusiasm.

• 10 — Exceptional: Highly engaged; contagious enthusiasm and strong community connection.

Non-Float Entry Rules

A non-float entry is a less costly, more creative way to join the parade. It includes marching bands, vehicles carrying members, walking groups, and performance groups.

1. All non-float entries must be at North 8th Street no later than 10:30 a.m. This time may change based on the game start time — SLE will confirm by email.

2. The driver of any vehicle must not have consumed alcohol within the past 24 hours.

3. All participants must conduct themselves respectably at all times. Anyone who cannot maintain appropriate conduct will be asked to leave immediately; failure to leave results in being escorted by Clarksville or APSU police.

4. Only candy may be gently tossed, thrown, or handed to spectators by anyone riding on a float or in a vehicle. Those walking in the parade may hand out items to spectators.

Non-Float Entry Rubric

Each criterion is scored 1 (Needs Improvement), 4 (Satisfactory), 7 (Proficient), or 10 (Exceptional).

Creativity

• 1 — Needs Improvement: Minimal creativity; generic costumes and props.

• 4 — Satisfactory: Basic creativity; relies on common ideas.

• 7 — Proficient: Good creativity; well-designed costumes and props.

• 10 — Exceptional: Outstanding creativity; unique costumes, banners, and props that captivate.

Theming

• 1 — Needs Improvement: Theme unclear or poorly represented.

• 4 — Satisfactory: Theme apparent but lacks depth or clarity.

• 7 — Proficient: Theme clear and well-represented.

• 10 — Exceptional: Theme exceptionally well-represented; cohesive and clearly aligned.

APSU Spirit

• 1 — Needs Improvement: Little to no school spirit; colors and logos absent.

• 4 — Satisfactory: Some school spirit, but basic or underdeveloped.

• 7 — Proficient: School spirit effectively shown through colors and logos.

• 10 — Exceptional: Vibrant, powerful school spirit that inspires pride and unity.

Engagement

• 1 — Needs Improvement: Minimal engagement; little audience interaction.

• 4 — Satisfactory: Limited engagement; minimal interaction or enthusiasm.

• 7 — Proficient: Good engagement; interacts and generates enthusiasm.

• 10 — Exceptional: Actively engages the audience with high energy and interactive elements.

Submitted Themes

Organizations submit theme ideas, and while we won't announce which organization is using which theme, submitted themes are listed here. Groups may use the same theme.

• Orange is the New Black

• Wednesday

• Stranger Things

• Squid Games

• Outer Banks

Questions

Direct any questions about the Homecoming Competition to Dr. Ashley Kautz, Director of Student Life and Engagement, at kautza@apsu.edu.