The Daily Campus

Issue date: 10/27/08 Section: Focus

Media Credit: Ashley Pospisil Members of the Rainbow Center perform at Lip Sync in Gampel Pavillion on Friday night. Their performance was inspired by the board game 'Life,' in accordance with this year's homecoming theme of 'Game On, UConn.'

Every year during Homecoming, SUBOG puts together the Lip Sync competition, where groups and organizations can compete against one another with a variety of themed songs, dances and skits.

This year, the Homecoming theme was "Game On, UConn" translating into a board game theme behind the performances.

After a charismatic introduction by Derron Forrest and UConn President Michael Hogan, the competition got underway, with high-energy performances and a roaring audience reception.

There were many notable performances from the cultural centers, as well as Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sigma Chi and Tau Kappa Epsilon with their inventive rendition of "Trivial Pursuit - Disney Edition." They also happened to nab the top award in the Greek category.

The Puerto Rican / Latin American Cultural Center took home first place in the cultural center category with a very creative routine using the board game "operation," labeling it "co-operation" as they tried to bring school spirit back to an ailing Jonathan the Husky. The hip hop-infused performance had the crowd cheering and dancing along.

A surprise first-time performance by "Global House" this year tackled the cult classic "Dungeons and Dragons" and brought forth a great mix of cultures to their performance.

The African-American Cultural Center gave a strong "Jumanji" themed performance.

The Asian-American Cultural Center received third place in the "cultural center" category for their "Ouija" themed performance, a rank that seemed surprising to some.

"It was weird," said Paul Lim, a 7th-semester engineering and music double major. "I really expected them to place way higher … They rocked the house and the whole crowd was loudest when they were on."

Unlike previous years where there were clear-cut first-, second- and third-place winners, this year saw a wider spread to the awards.

"This year it was broken down into first, second and third in three different categories: Greek, Fee Funded and Cultural Center and Non-Fee Funded," said Laura Osborne, the Homecoming committee chair. "This was done because Homecoming was becoming a bit too competitive and beginning to lose the UConn spirit aspect, which we want to be the main part.

"Breaking it down also gives the smaller groups a chance to be recognized."

Out of the 16 teams, there were nine teams that received trophies in their respective categories.

Some students were confused by the changes.

"It makes it too easy for everyone to get an award," said Neil Parikh, a 7th-semester actuarial science major. "I get [that] they want everyone to be recognized but there needs to be a definite winner. What's the point of the competition if there is no definite winner?"

Additionally, the event ran into trouble with seating capacity, filling Gampel by 8:30 p.m. Some students weren't able to attend.

"We are pleased that Lip Sync has gotten so popular that we are able to fill Gampel," Osbourne said. "But we are looking into options for next year so students will get their tickets beforehand and not have to wait in line and not be admitted.

"So far, nothing has officially been decided."

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