The football field was flooded Saturday night with some of the University’s most spirited students clad in purple and gold suits, patiently awaiting the announcement of who will carry the legacy of homecoming king and queen.
Taylor Cox, 22-year-old Student Government president, and Kendall Knobloch, 21-year-old member of Chi Omega sorority, both wore shocked expressions when
they were crowned the University’s 2012 Homecoming King and Queen during the halftime show at Saturday night’s football game.
Cox, a mass communication senior, said he didn’t realize he had won until the reigning king approached him and said congratulations.
“Actually I couldn’t hear anything on the field. I didn’t know I won until Zachary Corbin came up to me and said ‘Congratulations,’” Cox said.
Knobloch, a finance senior, said she doesn’t remember much from the crowning moment.
“It all happened so fast. The first real thing I remember is going to hug my friends,” Knobloch said.
Knobloch said she is waiting to watch a video that her friend filmed of the night to remember the details.
Cox and Knobloch both said it was a night they would remember for the rest of their lives.
Despite the crowns that now sit atop their heads, the recently named royals spend their days much like the average college student.
Cox said he makes going to class a priority every day. After class, he spends time in the SG office attending meetings and making sure his job as SG president is carried out.
“Ninety-nine percent of the time you can find me eating or at a coffee shop,” Cox said.
But Cox balances his eating habits by running the lakes two or three times per week. He said he can be found studying and drinking coffee at Highland Coffees during the evenings.
Cox said when he is not doing school- or SG-related activities, he tries to go home as much as possible to see his younger brother, grandparents and friends from high school.
Much like Cox’s routine, Knobloch said she shares the same priorities — school, exercise, work and family.
Her daily routine involves waking up early, working out, going to class, going to work and serving as a council member in her sorority.
Knobloch said her identical twin sister, who attends Southern Methodist University in Dallas, was able to see her win homecoming queen Saturday night. Having her sister there was the “icing on the cake,” she said.
“Splitting up for college was like going though a divorce,” Knobloch said about their relationship.
However, both sisters will be working in Dallas after graduation. Knobloch said she is excited about living in the same city as her sister again.
Cox said he plans to keep his options open after graduation.
“At the end of the day, I will get my master’s even if I take a year or two off from school. I don’t want my education to end with my undergraduate degree,” Cox said.
He said the past weekend has been one of the most cherished experiences he has had at LSU, comparable to serving the University as SG president and an ambassador.
“Over the past seven semesters at LSU, I have had so many incredible experiences and opportunities to meet other students who have positively impacted my life. … I will forever and always be a LSU Tiger,” Cox said.
Knobloch said her friends and family helped make Saturday special.
“My last experience in Tiger Stadium as a student was something I’ll never forget,” she said.
Knobloch said she encourages freshmen to make big decisions and step outside their comfort zones, like she did. She said that can help make a large school seem a lot smaller.
