Homecoming is not the only celebration of school spirit on campus this year.
The UW-Madison school song, ""On, Wisconsin!"", turns 100 this year, and campus officials have organized various activities to honor the song's milestone.
According to Tricia Dickinson, UW-Madison communications marketing director, William Purdy and Carl Beck wrote the song in 1909 and originally intended for it to be the fight song at the University of Minnesota.
Beck, a UW-Madison alum, later decided the song was more fitting for Wisconsin.
Dickinson said the song later became a favorite among Wisconsin residents and eventually became the state song in the 1950s.
According to a release, numerous high schools throughout the state as well as several colleges now use ""On, Wisconsin!"" as their school song.
UW-Madison has several events planned to honor the song's birthday, including the launch of an ""On, Wisconsin!"" website, a special halftime show at Saturday's home football game and a contest for students to submit their own versions of the song.
The Wisconsin Alumni Association is also selling ""On, Wisconsin!"" T-shirts on campus and will use the money to benefit need-based financial aid for students.
Dickinson said because it is Homecoming week as well as the song's centennial, she now encourages UW-Madison students more than ever to take pride in being a part of the university.
""[The song] is such a strong part of UW's identity, and it's embraced by students and alumni all over the world,"" she said. ""There's a lot of pride associated with UW because of the song and because it's known as being such a perfect example of a college song.""
She added that she hopes UW-Madison students take time to participate in the song-related events as well as the various Homecoming events on campus.
""We just want to remind everyone of what a great place this is and how proud we are to be Badgers,"" she said.
