For that 1924 homecoming celebration, Augustana prevailed 32-0 over Dakota State. The following season, the Vikings topped Huron in a 7-6 barn-burner.
The 2022 Viking Days celebration is special for the Class of 1972 as it is the 50th Class Reunion. Celebrating their final Viking Days as a student, from the 1972 Edda, “to life, skol! Homecoming 1971 is Augie life at its best … anticipation and questions: has he asked you yet? You mean we go out for dinner too? What am I going to wear? Did you order the corsage? How can I pay for all this?”
Students at Viking Days 1971 were treated to a Josh White concert along with typical traditions such as coronation and the parade.
Again, from the Edda, “Hectic: putting finishing touches on a float at daybreak, color, accomplishment, 1st place … hopes and sorrows: at the game, blue and gold, cheers, the flurry of excitement, tears as the Vikings fall.”
Based on the last line, we learn the Class of 1972 was not victorious on Viking Days 1971, a hopeful change that the 2022 Viking football team will give the winning moment.
The Viking Days game has been played in Kirkeby-Over Stadium since 2009 where AU holds a 9-3 record. The first Viking Days contest in the new stadium was a 41-21 win over Upper Iowa behind a career-high 305 passing yards from Luke Butler. The Vikings’ signal caller tossed for four touchdowns and rushed for a fifth touchdown as AU left a crowd of 5,315 in celebration.
