Evolve or die.
Homecoming is about getting alumni back to campus because that's what gets them to open up their wallets (and their wills).
You gotta figure out what will travel for, what will make them happy, and turn THAT into homecoming.
I've been to a lotta Growls...dating back to the paperball fight days. There hasn't been much (if any) evolution.
What are people into? Incorporate events that cater to those interests. There is no longer a one-size-fits-all. Homecoming involves the parade, Gator Gallop, Growl, and the game, as well as smaller events at the law school, the med school, etc. More smaller events could work.
People like food and wine festivals. Have an open-air one on the Plaza featuring different student groups showcasing their cuisine. The Lebanese Student Association can offer falafel, the Hispanic Student Association can sample sangria, the white kids and show off ramen noodles and box mac n cheese. Have an alumni-only TailGator BBQ Cook Off. Prizes for best ribs, best brisket, etc. It will bring in competitors, and will also bring in people who just want to eat it. Lots of people. Feature the winner on video at Growl. That's a big deal, lotta bragging rights.
For the Prius-driving pseudo-intellectuals who love watching a TED talk, open up Little Hall and have the professors give a series of 20 minute mind blowing lectures they can post about on social media and feel like they're better than their SUV-driving friends and neighbors.
Everybody wants to be part of something that goes viral. 80,000 people is a great start. Identify something. With that kind of head start...it will trend. Then people will remember for years that they started whatever stupid thing it was.
Lots of folks are into fitness. Gator Gallop is fun, but what about incorporating something a little more extreme, like those Spartan Races? Call it Gatorathalon. Male and female and student and alumni divisions. You can air part of it during Growl. People running is boring. People dragging logs through mud...that's interesting. Hell, it's gotta be more interesting than crowning a homecoming queen from whichever sorority's turn it is this year.
You gotta get them to show up, and when they leave, they need to leave feeling that is is great (and very special) to be a Florida Gator.
Alex.