A 61-year-old student at Georgia Perimeter College's Dunwoody campus said his failed bid for homecoming king was a great addition to his college experience.

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David Skoke, 61, who said he decided to return to school because he "wasn't serious at all" during his first go-round, said he registered as a candidate for homecoming king as a lark, but the campaign won him many admirers, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday.

"I did this just as a joke but it got kind of cool," Skoke said. "Professors I didn't even know were coming up to me. The students are all so nice to me. I've met some administrators. I'm meeting all these people I never would have. When I went to Ohio State I was a number. I feel like I belong here."

Andrea Almeida, 25, was among Skoke's supporters.

"I've been supporting him in his run for homecoming king," Almeida said. "Once I found out he was such a great candidate I told everyone in my political science class. Everyone was pretty impressed."

Skoke said he was "kind of hoping to be king," but he wasn't too disappointed to lose the vote. He said he is looking forward to the next semester.

"My adviser said, let's just a pick out a major," Skoke said.