Homecoming weekend full of events for students, alumni

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Students will have an opportunity to display their school spirit and hobnob with alumni during this year’s Homecoming Weekend.

The “Yell Like Hell” event at 3 p.m. today will feature Maroon Cup participants who will promote their school spirit at the north end of campus. The Spirit Carnival ends at 4 p.m. at Rose Pond. The carnival is open to the Mount Pleasant community and features carnival rides and games.

“The carnival will be our big show of the week. We encourage everyone to come,” said Ithaca senior Adam Ebnit, homecoming co-chairman.

A pep rally to “Fire Up Chips” will begin at 7 p.m. today at Rose Pond, featuring emcee Mike Rayburn.

“We encourage everyone to come check out Mike Rayburn. He’s a funny guy and it’ll be a lot of fun,” Ebnit said.

If the weather does not cooperate, Ebnit said the carnival and pep rally will take place in Finch Fieldhouse.

Saturday’s events will kick off at 8 a.m. with a 5K run at the Indoor Athletic Complex. People interested in participating can call 774-3686 to register.

Alumni can eat a complimentary continental breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday in Powers Hall’s Leadership Institute.

The annual parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and will travel through campus and downtown Mount Pleasant, ending at Sacred Heart Parish, 302 S. Kinney St.

Former Athletics Director and Coach Dave Keilitz will serve as 2002 Homecoming Grand Marshall.

“We are thrilled Dave accepted to be grand marshall,” said Mary Lu Fleming, Office of Development and Alumni Relations coordinator.

Keilitz is an alumnus with three degrees from the university, a former athlete, coach and athletics director. Keilitz was CMU’s first All-American baseball player in 1964 and began a 14-year stretch of coaching in 1971. He became the athletics director in 1984 and now is the executive director of the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Keilitz also has a long history of being a devoted CMU fan. He has attended every homecoming since 1960 and has missed only one home football game since then. Last year, CMU baseball coaching staff named him “Fan of the Year.”

Keilitz said he is honored to have been named grand marshall.

“Our family has been part of CMU for many years. We are very proud,” he said.

Following the parade, an alumni pre-game celebration will take place at Rose Pond from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. All colleges of the university will be represented with separate tents, each offering food and a chance for alumni to catch up with old friends.

Fleming said the event was successful last year, but the setup has been changed for 2002.

“Last year, we had one big tent. Now it’s a little different with many tents, but the idea is the same,” she said.

Fleming said the pre-game activities provide an opportunity for alumni to see people from other colleges.

“We are excited for the return event,” she said.

University President Michael Rao will share a few words with alumni around noon. Carnival rides from the Spirit Carnival will take place throughout the pre-game activities.

The highlight of the weekend is the football game. The Chippewas will face Bowling Green at 1 p.m. at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.

Alumni can continue to reminisce and meet Keilitz at the Instant Replay reception, hosted by the Chippewa Club from 4 to 6 p.m. at Wayside Central, 2000 S. Mission St. Cost is $2 for club members and $4 for nonmembers. Attendants will have the opportunity to meet and speak with Keilitz.

“My responsibilities are simple. It is a great honor. Hopefully, it will be an excellent weekend,” Keilitz said.

Another annual event for the weekend, sponsored by the broadcast and cinematic arts department, will continue for the third consecutive year. BCA alumni will take over 91.5 WMHW-FM from noon Friday until midnight Saturday.

“They will reminisce and play tunes from when they were here,” Fleming said.

The two-day event also will feature interviews with Rao, CMU administrators and alumni.

The weekend will conclude with Homecoming Ball in the Bovee University Center Rotunda from 9 p.m. to midnight. It is a semi-formal event open to all students, faculty and alumni. Cost is $5 and will include admission, a free gift and food.

“We are bringing back the dance with full-force,” Ebnit said.