“It was the crowning moment of my UNL career,” said Homecoming King Robert Tualaulelei after his inauguration with Homecoming Queen Beth Butler during halftime of Saturday’s football game against Louisiana-Lafayette. Photo: Andrew Lamberson, Courtesy, Daily Nebraskan
Robert Tualaulelei wasn't the only king Saturday at the Memorial Stadium's 300th consecutive sellout.
After being crowned 2009 Homecoming king, the Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, native spotted a group of Elvis impersonators. Amid the blinding camera flashes from the packed stadium, Tualaulelei approached the pack of impersonators to snap a couple of photos with them.
During the crowning ceremony, Beth Butler said she was in such shock that she had to be prompted by fellow candidate Amanda Crook to accept her medal from UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman.
Click here to see what the royalty have to say about their experience.
And then it was all over. The 300th sellout game ended. The stands were swept. The Husker's victory recorded -- and the king and queen were left to do whatever they would like with their new titles.
The Association of Students of the University of Nebraska, which sponsors the election of the king and queen, doesn't require either Tualaulelei or Butler to do anything else this school year. Although they are expected to crown the 2010 king and queen next year, what they do with their titles now is up to each winner and private organizations.
"We're here to invest in one solid cause and become better in the future," Tualaulelei said. "[After winning] I was immediately put into this group of elite men who helped make this university a better place."
Homecoming King Robert Tualaulelei displays his lei, given to him by Kristi Helu, mother of Husker running back Roy Helu Jr., after being crowned on Saturday. Photo: Nate Kelly, NewsNetNebraska
Homecoming Queen Beth Butler, a senior elementary education major, said she felt humbled by the caliber of her fellow candidates in this year’s Homecoming elections. Photo: Nate Kelly, NewsNetNebraska
Marlene K. Beyke, director of administration for ASUN, said photos of the pair will be included on the alumni Web site. In the past, the university hasn't required the king and queen to make appearances, she said, but hopefully the university will be more proactive in having them promote the campus.
In the past the king and queen have been asked to participate in Fourth of July parades, Beyke said.
Butler said there are unspoken responsibilities in the title such as continuing to be a leader, a role model and a resource to show people what can be accomplished at UNL.
"People have asked me, ‘Do you feel different?'" Butler said. "No. I'm still Beth Butler. I feel honored and surprised. My motto is just live each day as full as you can."
This year's elections drew more students than ever before to vote for the prospective candidates. According to ASUN, 2,807 students voted online. This was an increase of more than 1,000 students from the 2008 elections.
Butler isn't planning on letting the crown go to her head. Former queen Katie Madsen told her it would take three weeks for it to sink in.
"I'm going to keep being who I am and being involved and loving people as much as I can," Butler said.
For a complete list of the Homecoming candidates, click here.
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