From the very first homecoming event in 1966, students, staff, and alumni have come together to showcase school pride and Rebel connections. Now a beloved campus tradition, we’re looking back at some of our very first Homecoming memories and exploring new festivities that have become part of our celebration.
![The first NSU homecoming was held in January 1966 and featured a basketball game with the University of Nevada Wolf Pack at the Las Vegas Convention Center instead of football. The Morrill Hall Bell served as the trophy to be awarded to the victor. The ri The first NSU homecoming was held in January 1966 and featured a basketball game with the University of Nevada Wolf Pack at the Las Vegas Convention Center instead of football. The Morrill Hall Bell served as the trophy to be awarded to the victor. The rivalry trophy later shifted to the Fremont Cannon. (UNLV Special Collections)](/sites/default/files/styles/360_width/public/ckeditor_files/firsthomecoming.jpg?itok=-BzLEGEu)
![Selection of homecoming queen at halftime during the basketball game on Jan. 10, 1966. (UNLV Special Collections) Selection of homecoming queen at halftime during the basketball game on Jan. 10, 1966. (UNLV Special Collections)](/sites/default/files/styles/360_width/public/ckeditor_files/1966_Homecoming001.jpg?itok=Oh6qBo3D)
![Students in cowboy shirts and hats fit in with the theme of 1979 homecoming: The Great Western Rebellion. Other events during Homecoming Week that year included a lasso rope contest, square dance lessons, horseshoes, and a covered wagon race. Students in cowboy shirts and hats fit in with the theme of 1979 homecoming: The Great Western Rebellion. Other events during Homecoming Week that year included a lasso rope contest, square dance lessons, horseshoes, and a covered wagon race.](/sites/default/files/styles/360_width/public/ckeditor_files/Western_Homecoming013.jpg?itok=WfqolQAU)
![Rita Lucas was the first African-American to be UNLV’s homecoming queen, November 1971. She’s pictured with her attendants Barbie Apple, left, and Susan DiBiase. (UNLV Special Collections) Rita Lucas was the first African-American to be UNLV’s homecoming queen, November 1971. She’s pictured with her attendants Barbie Apple, left, and Susan DiBiase. (UNLV Special Collections)](/sites/default/files/styles/360_width/public/ckeditor_files/Rita_Homecoming.jpg?itok=yJLouIsm)
![A really big deal. <a href="https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/really-big-deal">Tanya the Elephant </a> (an entertainer from Circus Circus) became the 1971 honorary homecoming queen. Pictured here, Bonnie Braiker-Gordon, a member of UNLV's drill team, accompanies Tanya during the celebration. A really big deal. Tanya the Elephant (an entertainer from Circus Circus) became the 1971 honorary homecoming queen. Pictured here, Bonnie Braiker-Gordon, a member of UNLV's drill team, accompanies Tanya during the celebration.](https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/styles/2000_width/public/articles/main-images/Elephant.jpg)
![This CSUN-sponsored pie-eating contest turned into a crazy pie fight at a campus homecoming event near the Student Union in 1975. (UNLV Special Collections) This CSUN-sponsored pie-eating contest turned into a crazy pie fight at a campus homecoming event near the Student Union in 1975. (UNLV Special Collections)](/sites/default/files/styles/360_width/public/ckeditor_files/PieFight_Homecoming006.jpg?itok=qNtpflSN)
![Parades have been a long-standing UNLV homecoming tradition and students spent hours working on their elaborately decorated floats. For Homecoming '76, this float resembling the Star Trek Enterprise was the winning entry and matched that year's theme, "Sp Parades have been a long-standing UNLV homecoming tradition and students spent hours working on their elaborately decorated floats. For Homecoming '76, this float resembling the Star Trek Enterprise was the winning entry and matched that year's theme, "Space - The Final Frontier." (UNLV Special Collections)](/sites/default/files/styles/360_width/public/ckeditor_files/Space_Homecoming004%20.jpg?itok=k8-Ps00n)
![In 2019, UNLV’s eldest living alumna <a href="https://www.unlv.edu/news/article/life-work">Audrey James (’65, ’71)</a> was crowned honorary homecoming queen at 105 years of age and presided over the Scarlet and Gray parade. In 2019, UNLV’s eldest living alumna Audrey James (’65, ’71) was crowned honorary homecoming queen at 105 years of age and presided over the Scarlet and Gray parade.](https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/styles/2000_width/public/articles/main-images/D73042_001.jpg)
![Students participate in a brightly-decorated float on a golf cart](/sites/default/files/styles/360_width/public/media/ckeditor-image/2023-10/D73810_007.jpg?itok=9Xr1NA8p)