Standing in a circle, 10 Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members clad in sweat pants, T-shirts and tennis shoes clasped hands and bowed their heads. They said a prayer full of thanks and requests for guidance in schoolwork, persistence and help putting one foot in front of the other.

Homecoming to many is a once-a-year tradition requiring a host of arrangements. Hotels are booked. Cars are rented. Schedules are cleared. And many miles are traveled. But for Ashley Deignan, missing Homecoming has become a tradition in itself. The senior volleyball player from Louisville has gone her entire collegiate career without participating in Western’s Homecoming festivities.

Dorm residents across campus have been hard at work planning for the annual Homecoming hall decoration contest this week. The halls will compete in three separate competitions that include banner and lobby decoration and hanging of the red. They will be judged throughout the week and the winners will be announced at 4 p.

While Homecoming celebrants watch the game, drink alcohol and chat with friends, some Western staff members will take in the spectacle from behind the scenes with mops, tables and trash bags in hand. Homecoming is busy because that’s when several sports seasons mesh, said Judy Craft, a building services assistant supervisor.