This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Oct. 16 issue of the Ball State Daily News.
Homecoming events this year will be filled with a new opening day event sure to get Ball State's campus off to a spirit-filled start for Homecoming, Adam Drummond, Homecoming general chairman said.
This year, Homecoming week will kick off with a pep rally taking place at 7 p.m. tonight in the Field Sports building where head football coach Bill Lynch will give a speech and the pom squad will perform. Also, 3.1 Radio WNOU, will attend and broadcast live. Door prizes will be handed out every 15 minutes for attendants who register for the drawings. The other kick-off event is the annual Residence Hall dinner. Students can use their meal cards beginning at 4:30 p.m. in all campus dining areas except the Atrium, according to Drummond.
This year's homecoming theme is "Livin' on the Edge." Drummond said they narrowed down the top favorites from a list of approximately 100 choices before the theme was chosen.
"(The committee) wanted the theme to reflect the 21st century," Drummond said. "With all of the reality television shows and 'go with the flow' attitudes, we thought this was appropriate."
This year, one of the goals of the Steering committee was to make sure students had an adequate, interactive way to access information about Homecoming. The Homecoming Web site is www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming.com. Drummond said this week on their site pictures can be accessed of the days' events.
Drummond also said students are encouraged to show school spirit and support by wearing red and white this week. Homecoming long sleeved T-shirts are available to purchase through the Alumni Association.
The usual events will take place this week, such as the parade, which has been a tradition since 1939, the Air Jam lip-synching contest and the Bed Race on Friday, but also newer events like the tricycle race and bungee which is scheduled for Wednesday. Drummond said this year the tricycles will even be "adult-sized."
Originally the committee was going to try and get the funding to bring Aerosmith to campus, but the funding was not available, according to Drummond. Aerosmith will be performing, however, at Conseco field house on Sunday, Oct. 21.
A musical guest will be on campus during Homecoming week. Grammy-winning performer Sandi Patty will perform in concert at Emens on Saturday, Oct. 20.
The Steering Committee has spent hours preparing since last spring when they first met to discuss the weeks events. Each week a different member is required to spend three hours of office time preparing and making sure things are on schedule. Opening day chairwoman Tiffanney Day said she hopes all students attend the homecoming events and support Ball State.
"Homecoming week will be filled with great events and a lot of fun." Day said. "We've worked really hard to make this a success, and we are really excited about the whole week."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
