Peanut butter and jelly.

Hammer and nails.

College Night and the University of Montevallo.

Some things just naturally complement one another.

Being an UM alum, I certainly can&8217;t imagine Montevallo without College Night.

Unique to Montevallo, the homecoming event pits two sides, the Golds and the Purples, against each other each February in an unlikely sport &8212; musical theater.

While most schools compete on the gridiron or court for bragging rights, UM students leave it on the stage, vying to see which side will produce the best original play.

A panel of judges pick a winner based on categories such as acting, singing and dancing.

And it&8217;s not as corny as it sounds. I promise you have never seen anything like it before.

While at Montevallo, I served on the College Night committee, where I had to be an unbiased delegate for all students. It was in this role that I gained the deep respect I now have for the 90-year-old homecoming tradition.

I think the best quote

to summarize College Night was printed first in UM&8217;s 1931 yearbook:

&8220;If you have never lived through one, never cried, laughed or sweated through one, know this: It is the crest of the wave of college spirit. It is the high spot that will stand out in your mind as meaning college, when the rest has faded.&8221;

It&8217;s amazing to me that even early on, students understood and respected what College Night means to UM.

This year, College Night will be held Feb. 6-9 at at 7 p.m. each night.

For ticket info, call (205) 665-6215.