Topics: Alumni, Athletics

September 25, 2009

Students, alumni and staff are gearing up for Ball State's 83rd Homecoming. The theme is the "Best Week Ever," and all faculty, students, staff and alumni are encouraged to get involved.

A week of activities, including a new flag football tournament, will culminate Oct. 3, when Ball State plays Toledo.

"This year's homecoming steering committee has been working hard to create a unique and exciting atmosphere for not only the Ball State campus, but for alumni and the Muncie community," said Michelle Johnson, homecoming advisor. "It is great to see all the Cardinal spirit throughout campus, and I look forward to watching the ‘Best Week Ever' come to fruition."

Homecoming events kick off Sept. 28 with an inflatable obstacle course, tug-of-war and gladiator joust on LaFollette Field at 7 p.m. followed by a bonfire at 9 p.m.

Sept. 29 will start with a TV-themed dinner at Elliott, Noyer and LaFollette residence halls where all participants will receive a free homecoming drawstring bag.

Later that night, some of Ball State's finest talent will be competing in Talent Search at 7:30 p.m. in Emens Auditorium. Winners from specific categories will be awarded a $500 scholarship. Categories include dance, female vocals, male vocals, instrumental, musical group, freestyle and original arrangement. The overall winner will receive an additional $500 scholarship.

Ball State will introduce a new event to its homecoming lineup this year in the form of a flag football tournament.

Flag football preliminaries will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at Bethel Recreation Fields. The two winning teams will play in the flag football championship at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at Scheumann Stadium. The night will end with a fireworks show synced with music at 8:30 p.m., sponsored by the Student Government Association. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable item for Second Harvest Food Bank.

At 9 p.m. Oct. 1, Emens Auditorium will be the site for student royalty coronations and Air Jam, homecoming's annual lip-sync competition. According to Johnson, anyone interested in attending is encouraged to buy tickets in advance because this show is known to sell out. Tickets will be sold at the Emens Box Office through the day of the show. Tickets cost $5 in advance and $8 the day of the show.

The homecoming bed races will begin at noon Oct. 2 on Riverside Avenue. Five-person teams push wheeled beds on a 100-yard course. The Student Government Association will provide pizza to all attendees.

The homecoming parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 3 and follow a revamped route starting at Muncie Central High School and proceeding through downtown Muncie, the Village and making its last stretch down McKinley Avenue. The parade is expected to be another great success with more than 100 entries from student organizations and the Muncie community, said Laura Stauffer, homecoming parade chairwoman.

The game is also expected to draw quite a crowd as the Cardinals battle the Toledo Rockets at noon Oct. 3 at Scheumann Stadium.

Tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for ages 2-18. Purchase yours through the ticket office at www.ballstatesports.com or call 765-285-1474.

The homecoming steering committee, which consists of selected student volunteers, planned the celebration under the leadership of the Alumni Association. For a complete list of homecoming events, visit www.bsu.edu/alumni/homecoming. For more information, contact the homecoming office at 765-285-7051 or homecoming@bsu.edu.

By Chanel Richards