Update as of 5:26 p.m.
“Unfortunately, due to the early kickoff the parade will be logistically impossible this year,” said Jon Mark Bernal, associate director for Texas Tech Student Union & Activities. “We look forward to the parade’s return in 2014.”
However, some student organizations aren’t so sure about whether their organization will return in 2014.
Omega Delta Phi’s Sergeant, Zachary Dominguez, said they may now have to pay back some of the sponsorship money they had already spent on the float.
“We’re going to have to suck it out of our own account but we’re going to be really weary about doing it [the parade] next year, for the next coming years,” Dominguez said.
Dominguez said he and his members were surprised and upset with the last minute cancellation with homecoming only two weeks away. It seems they weren’t the only ones.
“Student government would like to express their disappointment with the parade being cancelled due to the scheduled 11 a.m. kickoff,” Luke Cotton, president of Student Government Association, said. “However, we do understand how the decision came about. Just regarding how logistically it would be difficult.
“While it is very disappointing that one of our schools greatest traditions will be cancelled and very many organizations will be upset about this – we do understand the school’s decisions.”
As of 3:23 p.m.
The time slot for the Texas Tech homecoming game against Iowa State was announced this morning for an 11 a.m. kickoff. As a direct result of this, the homecoming parade scheduled for Saturday was cancelled.
Chris Cook, managing director for the Office of Communications and Marketing, said via email that while he has yet to speak to the homecoming committee, he believes that it comes down to logistics.
“The parade was likely cancelled because of regular game day traffic flows and campus access via Broadway and University avenues,” Cook said. “It would be difficult to facilitate with an early kickoff.”
Eric Lee, homecoming coordinator, has yet to respond to requests for information. More updates to come as the information is released.
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