Beth Ann Olinger, assistant director of special events for Ball State's Alumni Association, said the 77th homecoming lets everyone exhibit Cardinal pride.   

"Homecoming week is a time for faculty, staff, students and the Muncie community to come together and celebrate Ball State," Olinger said. "It's a time to reunite with old friends and maybe even make some new ones. There are so many new things going on at Ball State that now is a great time to come back and experience it all."

The week begins with the second annual crowning of faculty/staff homecoming royalty during opening day events at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 in Irving Gym. Included is a game in which faculty and staff members guess which Ball State students know the most about their campus. 

The highlight of the week is the football game with Miami University at 2 p.m. Oct. 18. Other events include the Air Jam, bed race, parade and talent search. Classes and special interest groups will host reunions.

Homecoming is planned by the Homecoming Steering Committee, which consists of selected student volunteers under the leadership of the Alumni Association.

Events planned for homecoming week include:

Monday, Oct. 13

• Residence halls dinner, 5 p.m., LaFollette, Noyer and Woodworth halls
• Opening day events and faculty/staff royalty coronation, 7 p.m., Irving Gym

Tuesday, Oct. 14

• Faculty/staff Oktoberfest reception, 5 p.m., Alumni Center
• Air Jam, 9 p.m., Emens Auditorium

Wednesday, Oct. 15

• Spirit Fest block party, 6 p.m., University Square parking lot

Thursday, Oct. 16

• Faculty/staff breakfast reception, 7 a.m., Arts and Journalism Building Atrium
• Talent search and royalty coronation, 7:30 p.m., Emens Auditorium

Friday, Oct. 17

• Pep rally and bed race, 1 p.m., Riverside Avenue
• Alumni Association awards dinner, 6:30 p.m., Alumni Center

Saturday, Oct. 18

• All-alumni coffee hour, 8:30 a.m., corner of University and McKinley avenues
• Parade, 9:30 a.m., downtown Muncie to campus
• Alumni pregame buffet luncheon, class reunions and alumni gatherings, 11:30 a.m., Alumni Center
• Football game with Miami University, 2 p.m., Stadium, followed by postgame celebration, Alumni Center

Monday, Oct. 20

• Ashley Award Reception, 5 p.m., Alumni Center

For more information, contact the Ball State Alumni Association at (765) 285-1080 or alumni1@bsu.edu. The homecoming schedule can be viewed online at www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming.