After Marquette's first homecoming week since 1961, students are critical of a lack of publicity and school spirit, while Marquette Student Government remains optimistic despite low attendance at some events.

"I knew that homecoming was coming up, but I didn't know what homecoming was to Marquette," said Brian Kaster, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences. "My brief look at the flier told me that things were happening, but I'm not particularly interested in the athletics and nothing else was described in such a way to catch my eye."

MUSG board members said they saw the week as a foundation to build on in future years.

"It was the first time we've had homecoming since 1961, so if nothing else, that's a big step," said MUSG President Alex Hermanny, a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

MUSG Program Vice President Christopher Hoff, a senior in the College of Health Sciences, said he would like to see more students get involved in planning the event next year.

"I really am confident that this is a good stepping-off point for us," said Elizabeth Feste, executive vice president of MUSG and a senior in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Homecoming week began Wednesday with soccer and volleyball games followed by a homecoming kick-off party in the Union Sports Annex.

"The turnout at non-basketball athletic events can always be better. It would be good to see them getting more support," Hermanny said.

MUSG sponsored a comedy night Thursday at the Varsity Theatre, but the weekend centered on Friday's Marquette Madness, which included a pep rally before the first men's basketball practice of the season.

"The dunk contest was pretty awesome, but our section was the only section standing up and cheering the whole time. No one else was into it," said Holly Caretta, a freshman in the College of Health Sciences. "I could not feel the school spirit at all, and that's what homecoming is all about."

Michael Gomez, a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences, said he enjoyed Marquette Madness but thought it would attract more students if its timing were changed.

"They really need to move it back to Midnight Madness," Gomez said. "You hear stories of how fun it is, and being there was awesome, but you just lose the feeling of the late night."

The Marquette Gospel Choir performed Saturday with other college gospel choirs from around the state, and Habitat for Humanity brought several bands to the Weasler Auditorium for the Rockers for Relief concert to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims.

On Saturday night, MUSG kicked off its After Dark program for the year with a night of "old school sports" and a performance by mentalist Craig Karges. Hermanny said it was one of the most popular events of the weekend.

Feste said the attendance at the planned homecoming events "wasn't overwhelming" and attributed the low turnouts to the looming midterm week.

"I would like to investigate better options for the date," Feste said.

Hermanny said MUSG will have focus groups for students who wish to have input on future homecoming activities.

"It seems like there's a commitment to review homecoming and see ways to improve it in the future," Feste said.

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on October 18, 2005.