October 22, 2007
Bowling
Green, Ky. - To celebrate its transition to Division I-A in football, Western Kentucky University is “Movin’ on Up” for Homecoming 2007 activities Nov. 5-11.
While the WKU football team hosts Troy on Nov. 10, the Hilltopper and Lady Topper basketball teams open their seasons on Nov. 9. That means some traditional Friday evening Homecoming activities will be “Movin’ on Up” as well.
“Homecoming Friday night is becoming as eventful as Homecoming Day,” said Ginny Hensley, associate director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. “This year is a particularly exciting year with the addition of WKU basketball to the Homecoming schedule. In an effort to accommodate all activities and to give WKU alumni and fans a reason to leave work early on Friday afternoon, the start time for the parade and street fest has changed from previous years.”
The Citizens First Homecoming Parade will begin at 4 p.m. Nov. 9. WKU offices will close at 3:30 p.m.
This year’s parade route will begin at Alumni Drive and College Heights Boulevard and continue down Avenue of Champions to University Boulevard. Portions of College Heights Boulevard/Avenue of Champions will be closed to traffic beginning at 2:30 p.m.
After the parade, the Citizens First Big Red Street Fest will begin at Diddle Arena’s auxiliary gyms. The Big Red Street Fest will continue until 6 p.m.
At 6 p.m., the Lady Toppers face East Tennessee State in the opening round of the Women’s Preseason NIT. At 8:30 p.m. the Hilltoppers open their regular season against Kennesaw State.
The men’s game will feature Big Red’s Roar, the annual student Homecoming pep rally. Big Red’s Roar activities will be featured during timeouts and Coach David Elson and the WKU football team will address the crowd at halftime.
“We want to give alumni a reason to return home,” Hensley said. “With the full schedule of Friday night events, we hope to offer something for every member of the Hilltopper family.”
Homecoming Week will include numerous other events such as the Glasgow Homecoming Tailgate Party; a concert by the Charlie Daniels Band; induction ceremonies for the Hall of Distinguished Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame; a Silver Anniversary reunion of the Class of 1982; reunions of campus groups and organizations; the annual Step Show; and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen at halftime of the WKU vs. Troy football game. The complete schedule is available online at http://www.wkualumni.org/homecoming07.pdf
“The Homecoming Committee chose this year’s theme ‘Movin’ On Up’ because WKU continues to ‘move on up,’” Hensley said. “Not only are we moving to Division IA in football, but WKU, as a whole, is on its way to becoming a leading American university with international reach.”
Here are some of the Homecoming Week highlights:
Monday, Nov. 5
Homecoming Coloring Contest: Bowling Green and Warren County elementary students participate in this annual contest.
Tuesday, Nov. 6
Glasgow Homecoming Tailgate Party: 6 p.m. at WKU-Glasgow Campus. Featuring Athletics Director Wood Selig, WKU cheerleaders and more.
Thursday, Nov. 8
Chili and Cheese Luncheon and Pep Rally: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Christian Church, downtown Bowling Green. Tickets are $5.
Ninth Annual Summit Awards: 5:30 p.m. at Knicely Conference Center, WKU South Campus. WKU honors its outstanding volunteers.
Homecoming Concert: 7 p.m. at Van Meter Auditorium. Featuring the Charlie Daniels Band and special guest Rhym Shot. Tickets are on sale at the Campus Activities Board office in Downing University Center, room 330. Advance tickets are $10 for WKU students with valid ID (limit two) and $15 general admission. All tickets on Nov. 8 will be $25. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 9
Campus Office Decorating Contest: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. WKU faculty, staff and students are encouraged to decorate their offices for Homecoming.
Hall of Distinguished Alumni Luncheon and Induction Ceremony: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sloan Convention Center. The 2007 inductees are Bob Adams, Dr. Tom Meredith and Kenny Perry. (More on this year’s inductees is available online at http://www.wku.edu/news/releases07/july/hoda.html)
Silver Anniversary: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. special welcome reception for the Class of 1982 at Hilton Garden Inn. Reunion activities continue Nov. 10.
Citizens First Homecoming Parade: 4 p.m. Parade begins at Alumni Drive and College Heights Boulevard.
Citizens First Big Red Street Fest: Following the parade at Diddle Arena Auxiliary Gym. The annual event includes children’s activities, inflatable games and prizes. The first 200 fans to arrive at Street Fest receive a free ticket to the Lady Topper and Hilltopper basketball games.
Lady Toppers vs. East Tennessee State: 6 p.m. at Diddle Arena.
Hilltoppers vs. Kennesaw State: 8:30 p.m. at Diddle Arena.
Big Red’s Roar: 8:30 p.m. at Diddle Arena. During the men’s game, WKU students will participate in the annual pep rally featuring Coach David Elson, the 2007 football team, Big Red, WKU Marching Band, cheerleaders, Topperettes and Homecoming Queen candidates.
Saturday, Nov. 10
Reunions: Several campus organizations, clubs and departments will meet for Homecoming reunion activities and will have reunion tents set up at Festival of Friends. (A list is available online at http://www.wkualumni.org/homecoming07.pdf)
Dedication of Student Publications building: 10 a.m. at the new building on Normal Drive (across from Mass Media and Technology Hall).
Recreation Administration 40th Anniversary Celebration: 10 a.m. at Diddle Arena’s Stansbury Concourse.
Alumni W-Club Athletic Hall of Fame and Brunch: 10 a.m. at Diddle Arena. Inductees are Bob Daniels, Clarence Glover, Tandreia Green, Norman Head, Mecit Koydemir, Mike McCoy and Brett McNeal. (More on this year’s inductees is available online at http://www.wkusports.com/news.cgi?article=5748&sports=0)
Festival of Friends: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Downing University Center South Lawn. Various departments and campus organizations will have reunion tents set up.
WKU vs. Troy: 4 p.m. at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. WKU welcomes its first I-A opponent and future Sun Belt Conference rival. The 2007 Homecoming Queen will be crowned at halftime.
Annual National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show: 8 p.m. at Diddle Arena.
Society of African American Alumni Dance: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Knicely Conference Center, WKU South Campus.
Sunday, Nov. 11
11th Annual Jim Wayne Miller Celebration of Writing: 2 p.m. at Garrett Conference Center Auditorium. “A Love Affair with Nature: Selected Poems by Jim Wayne Miller” featuring Patricia Minton Taylor and Craig Taylor.
More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
For information, contact Ginny Hensley at (270) 745-4395.
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1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, Ky. 42101-3576
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