Pigskin preparations in full swing

By Katelyn Patterson | Reporter

Choreography practices, costume designing and vocal rehearsals are taking over as organizations prepare their acts for this year’s Pigskin Revue. Pigskin Revue is a Baylor tradition that was established in 1958. The event features a showcase of the top 8 winning acts from the 2020 All-University Sing. Those acts include: Kappa Kappa Gamma and Kappa Sigma, Phi Kappa Chi, Sing Alliance, Alpha Tau Omega, Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Chi Alpha and Pi Beta Phi.

Pigskin will take place on homecoming weekend —today through Saturday — in Waco Hall.

Jonathan Thomas, Cypress senior and All-University Sing chair for Phi Kappa Chi, said this year is especially exciting because of the gap year Pigskin took in 2020 due to COVID-19.

“I think we so desperately missed it last year, that when we got the opportunity to get Pigskin again and put this act back on stage, we were just so excited,” Thomas said. “A big step has been teaching our new guys how to do it because a lot of our guys haven’t done Pigskin or Sing before. The juniors and sophomores have had a bit of a curve, which has been really cool because they’ve gotten to experience something new.”

Phi Kappa Chi took second place at Sing in 2020 with its act “So Tied Up.” Thomas said their act is a beautiful portrayal of the gospel.

“The basic story is that the scarecrows, they’re out in the field, and they’re so tied up in these ropes,” Thomas said. “The ropes are kind of a metaphor for sin, so they’re kind of lamenting and seeing this bondage that they feel they have. And then a hymn is sung; it’s this cry out to God, and they’re free from their ropes and celebrate.”

Rylie York, Round Rock senior and Chi Omega president, said not having Pigskin last year makes everyone feel more enthusiastic this year. The Chi Omega act is “Maid to Mooove” and features cows and milkmaids.

“I think the girls we just recruited are even more excited about being on stage and representing Chi Omega because it means that they’re getting involved and becoming more normal members than before COVID,” York said. “For the seniors, it’s a little weird because this is the act that we did our sophomore year. It’s been like a fun, kind of nostalgic flashback to what we did. It’s a little more special because we know that it’s some of our last times to be on stage.”

This year, Baylor will offer an online alternative for people unable to attend in person.

“For those who can’t make it back to campus, enjoy Pigskin Revue at home,” the Baylor Homecoming website said. “This online streaming option brings the Waco Hall stage to your home so you and your family can enjoy the sights and sounds of all the acts in real time.”

Tickets for Pigskin Revue are on sale now at baylor.edu/tickets.