The Olympic Village has been referred to by many names in the past.
Evan Barton, Homecoming Committee marketing chair, said his freshman year it was called “Buck the Aggies,” and featured a mechanical bull. Barton said he attended the event his freshman year and has helped organize it ever since.
“As a student, it was really cool,” Barton said. “It was fun, because they had different events going on, they were giving out free stuff for homecoming and then helping out last year was really fun too, because I kind of got to see the other side of it as well as participate in it.”
Vandals are invited to the Olympic Village from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday outside the Idaho Commons. There, they can compete in an inflatable obstacle course, take pictures at a photo booth and grab some shaved ice — all in the name of going for the gold.
Homecoming Chair Emily Rasch helped organize the event. She said the event helps generate excitement for Homecoming Week and the football game.
“It’s getting students more engaged in the everyday happenings of homecoming,” Rasch said. “So even if they’re not on a team they can still participate, and I think that’s why it’s great for us.”
She said the event fits in well with this year’s homecoming theme — “Joe for the Gold,” — and that they are looking to capitalize on the Olympic spirit going on around the world.
“We’re really excited to see that same spirit come to the Vandals,” Rasch said. “We’re going to be highlighting a lot of our alumni who are Olympic athletes and kind of just foster that spirit on campus.”
Rasch said she received positive feedback about the event last year.
“Everyone last year loved it so much,” Rasch said. “They said it was really fun and it was a nice break from classes to kind of celebrate the Homecoming Week.”
The event is now a staple of the homecoming schedule, and Rasch said she thinks it has a good opportunity to grow in the future.
“In the future, we can see more opportunities for students to interact, like the obstacle course,” Rasch said.
She said she encouraged students to stop by the Olympic Village between their Tuesday classes.
“It’s a really fun opportunity to meet us, the committee and celebrate what it means to be a Vandal and be part of the Vandal family,” Rasch said.
Jack Olson can be reached at