The 93rd Homecoming Begins Thursday

The annual three-day celebration of the UA's heritage, diversity, research, community and spirit will be held Nov. 1-3.

It’s time to remember shared laughter, common experiences and school spirit at The University of Arizona.

It’s also time this Homecoming season for those new to the UA, or who might be future Wildcats, to learn what this university is all about.

The tradition began 93 years ago and Nov. 1 marks the start of three days of homecoming events.

This year's theme is “Exploring New Frontiers” to commemorate the UA’s part in space exploration through the Phoenix Mars Mission.

The central event is the Nov 3. Homecoming Parade, featuring as grand marshal Peter Smith, the principal investigator for the Phoenix Mars Mission and also senior research scientist at the UA’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

Floats, bands, pep rally groups and royalty circle members are among the parade participants, and the parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. where the UA Mall meets North Campbell Avenue. The parade will travel the length of the Mall to Old Main and back. This year’s parade announcer is KIIM-FM radio personality and program manager Buzz Jackson.

The parade will precede the Homecoming game against the University of California, Los Angeles, which is scheduled for an ABC telecast at 12:30 p.m.
More is in store for alumni, students, family and friends this homecoming season.

Organized by the UA Alumni Association, the three days will be full of social and informational gatherings meant to reunite alumni and students and also to bolster the UA’s unique talents, its outreach and research. To learn more, visit http://www.uagrad.org/Homecoming.

The weekend's events include:

Nov. 1

6 p.m. - The UA Class of 1957 will hold its reunion dinner in the South Ballroom of the Student Union Memorial Center.

Nov. 2

12 p.m. - The Graduate and Professional Student Council will hold its "Student Showcase," a display of undergraduate and graduate students' research projects. The showcase will be held until 4 p.m. on the UA Mall. The showcase will be held again 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 3. 

3 p.m. - The Alumni Awards and Recognition Reception will be held at the Student Union Memorial Center’s South Ballroom.

7 p.m. - The Homecoming kickoff celebration and bonfire pep rally will be held at Alumni Plaza. UA President Robert N. Shelton and Arizona football coach Mike Stoops will attend. The Homecoming royalty will be crowned in the event, which features fireworks and the band “Whatcha See is Whatcha Get.”

Nov. 3

7:30 a.m. - Arizona Athletics will host the 28th annual “Letterwoman’s Breakfast” at the Tucson Marriott University Park hotel, 880 E. Second St. All letterwomen are welcome. The cost to attend is $20 and registration is required. To learn more, or to purchase a ticket, call 621-9272.

8:30 a.m. - Nearly 100 UA colleges, sororities and fraternities as well as alumni, campus and student organizations will host their alumni tents on the UA Mall.

9 a.m. - The UA Libraries is holding its "Junior Scientists Kids' Day" at the UA Science-Engineering Library. Those who attend will be able to see physics demonstrations, make slime and ice cream or a kaleidoscope, get face painting and free gift bags and a slew of other things. Drawings for prizes will be held at 10 a.m. and again at 11:30 a.m., and the event ends at 12:30 p.m.

This year's Homecoming theme is “Exploring New Frontiers” to commemorate the UA’s part in space exploration with the Phoenix Mars Mission. The mission lifted off to Mars in August and is expected to touchdown May 25, 2008.
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