Students packed McLeod Center Friday night for the annual homecoming pep rally to pump up Panther pride for Saturday’s football game.

As the pep rally opened, University of Northern Iowa President William Ruud took the microphone and joked with the crowd while highlighting homecoming events.  

The university’s president wasn’t the only speaker of the night.

Bryce Paup, UNI’s  defensive line coach spoke to fans about how panthers, supporters and athletes alike, are one giant family.

Pride Cry finalists Noehren Hall, Camp Adventure and SAA/CATS showcased their performances from earlier in the week for the judges one last time.  

The three finalists performed their Pride Cry to win the title of best pride cry.

 Camp Adventure won the judges over for best pride cry. 

One of the highlights of the pep rally was UNI’s Swim and Dive team, who enacted various short skits to show how UNI student athletes are on the go.  

Each of the various sports were shown using lettuce as a prop.

Members of each the team held up a sign indicating which sport they represented and after everyone had gone the signs were turned over to reveal the words “Lettuce be UNIted.”

The Pep Rally concluded with the announcement of the 2014 homecoming king and queen.  Jacob Ferguson and Bailey Jimmison walked away with the cape and crown as this year’s homecoming royals.