The History of Alamogordo’s Homecoming Games and the 2025 Royal Court

Alamogordo, NM — For more than seven decades, the Alamogordo Tigers’ Homecoming football game has been more than just a contest under the Friday night lights. It has been a gathering of generations, a showcase of school spirit, and a reminder of how deeply sports and community pride are woven together in southern New Mexico.

A Tradition Born After the War

The first Homecoming celebrations at Alamogordo High School took shape in the early years of the school it became an annual tradition in the years following World War II. By the late 1940s and early 1950s, the Tigers were already hosting parades, pep rallies, and alumni reunions to coincide with the annual football showdown. Victories over rivals like Artesia in 1949 and 1955 became early milestones, celebrated as much for their rarity as for their drama.

Rivalries That Defined Generations

No opponent looms larger in Alamogordo’s Homecoming lore than the Artesia Bulldogs. From 1946 through the early 1970s, Artesia dominated the series, winning 19 times while the Tigers managed just two victories and a tie. That made the 1972 Homecoming game unforgettable: Alamogordo stunned Artesia in front of a packed stadium, breaking the drought and igniting celebrations that alumni still recall as one of the program’s defining moments.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, Homecoming became a centerpiece of the fall calendar. Floats rolled down 10th Street, storefronts were painted black and gold, and Tiger Stadium filled with families, alumni, and students eager to see if the Tigers could deliver another historic win.

Modern Memories and Dramatic Finishes

In recent years, the tradition has only grown. The 2024 Homecoming game against Piedra Vista produced one of the most thrilling finishes in school history: a 36–35 double-overtime victory that had fans storming the field in celebration.

This year, the Tigers face Organ Mountain under the theme “At the Oscars.” Spirit Week dress-up days, the downtown parade, and the crowning of the Royal Court will lead into Friday night’s kickoff at Tiger Stadium.

More Than a Game

For Alamogordo, Homecoming is as much about community as it is about football. Local businesses decorate storefronts, alumni return to reconnect, and students rally around a shared sense of pride. Even in seasons when wins are hard to come by, the Homecoming game remains a celebration of resilience, unity, and tradition.

As one longtime fan put it, “Homecoming is where the past meets the present. It’s not just about who wins—it’s about remembering who we are.”

The Alamogordo High School Tigers elected the homecoming royal court the details of each released by APS below...

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