MACON — Moving its Homecoming to the fall under the theme “Reconnect, Reunite, Rediscover,” Mercer University is expecting scores of Mercerians and their families to come back to campus Nov. 21-23. In recent years, the University’s Homecoming was held in the winter at the end of the basketball season. Now, the event will serve as a springboard to the exciting new season, highlighted by a clash against Atlantic Coast Conference power Georgia Tech.
Alumni events begin on Friday, Nov. 21, with a stationary float competition at 7 p.m. Then at 8 p.m., there will be a bonfire and pep rally on Bear Hill – the outdoor area between Claude Smith Field and the Hilton Garden Inn. The event will feature the introduction of the Homecoming Court and performances by the Mercer pep band and cheerleaders, as well as the ceremonial bonfire lighting by President William D. Underwood. Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Hoffman will fire up the crowd for the Homecoming game on Saturday. The event will conclude with a fireworks display.
Saturday’s events are highlighted by the Mercer men’s basketball team’s tilt with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at 1 p.m. The game is already sold out and a record crowd is expected. The game will be televised to more than 8 million households on Fox Sports Net South as well.
For a full schedule of student and alumni events, visit www2.mercer.edu/homecoming08.
The morning of the game promises to equally action-packed, beginning with the 2008 Homecoming 5K Road Run, which will start from Porter Patch at 8 a.m. The family-friendly events continue at 9 a.m., with the Orange Pancake Breakfast at Porter Patch.
Alumni will get a chance to reconnect to campus from 10 to 11:30 a.m. with campus tours and Godsey Administration Building tower tours and a Greek Village open house.
The game-oriented festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a pre-game barbecue lunch and party on the University Center plaza.
After the basketball game, there will be a post-game cookout from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and anniversary class reunion parties.
The men’s club lacrosse team will play an exhibition match against Augusta State at 4 p.m. on Bear Field. At 6 p.m., the University Center arena will host another exciting athletic event, the Atlantic Sun Conference Volleyball Championship Game.
The evening will culminate in the annual Homecoming Dance from 7 to 11 p.m., featuring The Grapevine, at The Armory Ballroom in downtown Macon.
Sunday, Nov. 23, will conclude the festivities, with a 10 a.m. Homecoming Chapel service in Newton Hall. At 3 p.m. there will be a “Thanksgiving Song” concert featuring the Mercer Women’s Choir and Mercer Men’s Choir in the McCorkle Music Building.
Throughout Homecoming Week leading up to the alumni festivities, there are a number of student-led events as well. There will be a student banner competition on Sunday, Nov. 16, in the Connell Student Center at 5 p.m. On Monday, there will be a department decorating competition for the faculty and staff at 3 p.m., and a student hall decorating competition. At 8 p.m., students will assemble for a picture on the Quad.
On Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m., hypnotist and comedian Michael C. Anthony will entertain students at Willingham Auditorium.
At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the men’s club wrestling team will have a match against East Georgia, in the Communication and Theatre Arts gymnasium.
Finally, on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., the students will gather in Willingham Auditorium for a skit competition.
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