Since Gunn’s first Homecoming in 1965, logistical changes have occurred, but according to AP English teacher Tim Farrell and AP Art History teacher Wayne Hoy, Gunn’s school spirit has always been abundant. “People always dressed up during Homecoming, and when I went to the football game, the stands were always packed,” Farrell said. “It was good reconnecting with everyone.”

Homecoming week used to include different lunch games, one of which was especially memorable for Hoy. “They used to have a tricycle race around the Spangenberg Auditorium, “ Hoy said. “It looked silly because there were these big kids riding on these little tricycles. There was also some kind of competition between the classes with a tug of war across the pool, the losers would of course fall into the pool—they don’t do that anymore obviously.”

When it comes to the night rally, it was not always held indoors. “We got permission to have the night rallies outdoors with a bonfire on the Stanford campus,” Hoy said. “It was always a lot of fun.” Because airbands competitions were not introduced to the night rally until 1996, the rally was a tailgating bonfire where the Gunn community would come together and celebrate before the big game.

The Homecoming game, now on Friday nights, used to be earlier in the day. “I was sorry to see the Homecoming game at night because it used to be in the afternoons, and it was easier for students and teachers alike to attend,” Farrell said.

The Homecoming dance left a lasting impression on Farrell. “I chaperoned a number of dances during my younger years, but I haven’t for a long time.” Farrell said. “At the last one, [a parent chaperone] handed me some cotton to put in my ears to soften the din. One of the chaperones coined the term dog minutes to describe the last hour or so of a dance-chaperone assignment—when each minute seems to last for seven. As for dancing, well, they did the disco in the 70s but mainly the students did whatever was popular, as I’m sure they do now.”