Hundreds of people clad in purple and gold dress seemed to match the campuses’ ribbon-wrapped trees Feb. 10 as thunderous cheers echoed through the University of Montevallo’s Palmer Hall.

The school’s 92nd-annual College Night had arrived. College Night, one of the oldest college homecoming traditions in the nation, pits the Gold team against the Purple team in a weeklong intramural competition featuring athletic and theatrical events.

Throughout the week, the members of the two teams will earn points through many different events, the largest of which will be a student-produced theatrical production Feb. 11-13.

After the final theater performance Feb. 13, a panel of outside judges will review the productions before the university names this year’s College Night winners.

But those watching and participating in the Feb. 10 College Night dress rehearsal said the annual homecoming event is more about camaraderie and school spirit than taking home the top prize.

“College Night is a long-running tradition in my family,” said Isaac McDow, a member of the Gold side’s theatrical team. “I am the third generation of my family to participate in College Night.

“I think it’s awesome,” McDow added. “It teaches students to work together as a team.”

Olivia Terry, a Gold side member who acted with the team in 2009, said she enjoyed College Night’s school spirit more than defeating her Purple opponents.

“It’s always been a lot of fun, but it’s not all about winning and losing,” Terry said. “But I am still kind of scared to wear anything purple, especially during the spring semester.”

Members of the Purple team seemed to echo Terry’s sentiments, as they said they valued good times with friends more than defeating the Gold side.

“I remember good past times more than anything else,” said Jeremiah Snider, who has been a member of the Purple side for the past four years.

“This is a great way to show school spirit,” said Purple side member Chelsea Graham. “Even though there are two teams, College Night really unites all of us.”