My grandfather attended Northwestern University before being drafted during World War II (for which I am eternally grateful, as he met my grandmother while stationed in New Mexico and therefore I exist). Northwestern’s 1940 homecoming game was a disappointing 13-12 loss to the Minnesota Gophers, ultimately undefeated and named the 1940 National Champion.
This 85 year-old homecoming button was found in a box of family memorabilia, though I have no idea why. A simple freshman keepsake? Memorable post-game parties or perhaps a girlfriend? Fraternity hazing that required wearing the button? As he’s now deceased, no way to know for sure.
Perhaps more interesting is the concept of homecoming buttons themselves: culture and societal changes in the late 1960s and early 1970s made homecoming less a “thing”. Also, buttons were sold for fundraising – cute in days of (almost) true amateurism – but apparently are given away today. I honestly don’t remember any buttons during my days at the University of Iowa in the early 1980s; perhaps I just didn’t notice. Today’s homecomings target alumni more than student (my cynical view is to raise additional funds for athletics, but whom am I to say). Though I’ve been back to Iowa City for football and basketball (both men’s and women’s), I have not attended any homecoming activities. And despite being a life-long Hawkeye, I haven’t made financial donations to either the alumni association or athletic department. Meh.
