One of the nation’s first Homecoming celebrations happened at Mizzou in 1911, when the MU football coach and director of athletics, Chester Brewer, invited alumni to “come home” to Columbia for the annual football game against the University of Kansas. While this tradition has spread, Mizzou still boasts the largest student-run Homecoming in the nation. The annual events include a parade, a blood drive, a talent competition and tailgating.