February 3, 2000

Bowling Green, Ky. -- Western Kentucky University will celebrate its rich basketball tradition by honoring legendary Coach E.A. Diddle and recognizing All-Americans during Coming Home on Feb. 12

Coming Home is a basketball homecoming event that combines "past events and new ideas," said Amee Meyers, assistant director of Alumni Affairs.

Western's Student Activities office has crowned a homecoming king for about five years and the W-Club has had a basketball homecoming event. "We wanted to combine some of these efforts that were already in place to make a bigger event," Meyers said.
Coming Home gives alumni and friends another reason to return to the Hill and recapture the Western spirit, she said. "It's as wonderful a celebration of our tradition as we can do in basketball with honoring Diddle that evening and the truly outstanding players from our history in both men and women's basketball," she said.

Among the WKU All-Americans scheduled to return are Johnny Britt ('76), Darel Carrier ('64), Buddy Cate ('50), Raymon Gish ('51), Dee Gibson ('48), Clem Haskins ('65-'67), Laurie Heltsley ('81), Kami Howard ('86), Craig McCormick ('82), John Oldham ('49), Bobby Rascoe ('62), Alicia Scott Polson ('81), Lillie Mason Stockton ('86) and Dawn Warner ('96).

Coming Home begins at 8 p.m. Feb. 11 with Big Red's Growl, the grand opening event in the renovated fourth floor of the Downing University Center. Big Red's Growl will bring the atmosphere and fun of fall Homecoming's Big Red's Roar indoors, Meyers said.

Feb. 12 will feature a full evening of Coming Home activities. Pregame events include a reception featuring WKU All-Americans, a family fun reception featuring children's activities, a spirit contest and the coronation of Coming Home King. All-Americans will be available to sign autographs for Hilltopper fans.

The game between WKU and Florida International University begins at 7 p.m. At halftime, Western recognize Diddle's outstanding contributions to Hilltopper athletics by retiring a jersey in his honor. Diddle won 1,040 games as a head coach at Western -- 759 in men's basketball, 232 in baseball, 38 in football and 11 in women's basketball.

Here's a list of activities planned for Coming Home:
Friday, Feb. 11
8 p.m., Big Red's Growl, Downing University Center's fourth floor. Activities begin with an event that features Coming Home King candidates, Big Red and the Topperettes.

Saturday, Feb. 12
5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Reception, Diddle Arena's auxiliary gym. WKU All-Americans will be on hand for autographs during the event sponsored by the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation and W-Club. Everyone is invited.

6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Warren County Alumni Club Family Fun Reception, Diddle Arena concourse level. Children's pregame activities will include face painting, games and a visit by Big Red. WKU All-Americans will be on hand for autographs. "Western Wisdom" and "The Man with the Red Towel" will be on sale.

6:30 p.m., Spirit Contest and Coming Home King Coronation, Diddle Arena.

7 p.m., WKU vs. Florida International, Diddle Arena. At halftime, the jersey honoring Coach Diddle will be unveiled and WKU's All-Americans will be recognized.
For more information, contact Alumni Affairs at (270) 745-4395 or 1-888-WKU-ALUM.