KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is celebrating Homecoming this year with numerous events on and off campus for alumni, students and families.
The week culminates with the Volunteers’ football game against Wyoming at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. “Give Wyoming the BOOT,” as in Big Orange Outlaws of Tennessee, is this year’s theme.
The week of events includes Homecoming traditions such as the parade on Friday and the Party in the Park tailgating event on Saturday before kickoff.
Grand marshals of this year’s parade include UT Olympians Dee Dee Trotter (track), Jangy Addy (decathlon) and Jevon Tarantino (diving). Lady Vols track and field coach J.J. Clark, who coached middle distances for the U.S. women’s Olympic team, also will participate.
This year, the university is celebrating the history of Strong Hall, an all women’s residence hall that closed last spring, and the student newspaper, The Daily Beacon.
Some of the events include:
Sunday, Nov. 2
•Anything Goes — 6 p.m., Humanities Amphitheater. Students participate in games and relays.
Monday, Nov. 3
•3-on-3 Basketball Tournament — 4 p.m., HPER. Student teams.
Tuesday, Nov. 4
•Soapbox Derby — 3:30 p.m., Volunteer Boulevard.
Wednesday, Nov. 5
•Smokey’s Howl — 7 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena. Preliminary cheerleading and spirit competition.
Friday, Nov. 7
•Homecoming Parade — 4 p.m., Volunteer Boulevard. Begins at the Rock and travels east toward Neyland Stadium. This year’s grand marshals are UT student-athletes who participated in the summer Olympics.
•Pep rally, Smokey’s Howl — 5:15 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena. Finals of Smokey’s Howl competition. Miss Homecoming to be crowned at halftime of men’s basketball exhibition game against Tusculum.
•Strong Hall Reunion -– 6 p.m., Strong Hall. Join former Strong Hall residents for a reception and a tour of this campus landmark. Following the reception, there will be a short program, and descendants of Sophronia Strong in attendance will be recognized. Strong Hall closed as a residence hall last spring. $20 per person.
•College of Social Work Eighth Annual Homecoming Gala — 6 p.m., Rothchild Catering and Conference Center. $30 per person.
•WUTK, National Broadcasting Society (AERho) and UT Today Alumni Reunion — 6 p.m., 3rd floor of Patrick Sullivan’s in the Old City.
•Daily Beacon/Orange and White Reunion — 6:30 p.m., Barley’s in the Old City. First-ever reunion of editorial, advertising and production staffs of the UT student newspaper. $15 per person.
•Honoring Art Stowers Reception — 7 p.m., Baker Peters Jazz Club, private dinner for former wrestlers, coaches and families. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., reception open to the public. Gather to remember and celebrate the life of Art Stowers, former faculty member and wrestling mentor.
•Homecoming Kickoff Show — 7 p.m., Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Sponsored by the Black Cultural Programming Committee. Features Alex Thomas, Vanessa Fraction and Kelley Howard. Tickets which include a tailgate and step show on Nov. 8, are on sale at the UT Central Ticket Office. Tickets for UT affiliates are $25 and $35 for non-UT affiliates.
•Party at Magnolia Café — 10 p.m. Sponsored by the Black Alumni Council. Tickets are $10 per person at the door.
Saturday, Nov. 8
•Party in the Park — 9 a.m. to noon, Circle Park. Live entertainment, cheerleaders, magician, door prizes, face painting and breakfast. UT Olympians will be available for photos and autographs. Meal tickets are $12 for adults and $8 per child (10 and under).
•Daily Beacon/Orange and White Brunch and Tour — 9 a.m., Daily Beacon office, 5 Communications Building.
•College of Nursing Ice Cream Social — 9 a.m., courtyard at College of Nursing. (Complimentary).
•College of Engineering Annual Alumni Homecoming Barbecue — 9 a.m., courtyard of Ferris and Perkins halls. $12 per person; $8 per child (10 an under).
•Architecture/Interior Design/Landscape Exhibit — 9 a.m., Art + Architecture Building, Room 103.
•School of Journalism and Electronic Media Open House — 10 a.m. to noon, Communications Building lobby. Tour WUTK, TV studios, TNJN.com facilities and meet with faculty.
•College of Law Barbecue — 10 a.m., College of Law front patio. $15 per person.
•UT Pre-Game Faculty Showcase — 11 a.m., University Center Ballroom. “Growing Electricity,” featuring Barry Bruce, professor of biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology.
•Ninth Annual Black Cultural Center Festival — noon, Black Cultural Center.
•Homecoming Game — 1 p.m., Neyland Stadium. UT vs. Wyoming. The alumni band will perform at halftime.
•Ninth Annual Stompfest — 8 p.m., Knoxville Civic Center. Sponsored by the Black Cultural Programming Committee.
•Black Alumni Reunion — 9 p.m., The Broker of Knoxville. $15 per person/$25 per couple.
Sunday, Nov. 9
•Black Alumni Brunch — noon, Tyson Alumni House. Sponsored by the Black Alumni Council.
For more information about Homecoming events, visit:
Office of Alumni Affairs: http://alumni.utk.edu/programs/homecoming/
All Campus Events: http://cpc.utk.edu/Committees/ace/
Minority Student Affairs (BCPC): http://omsa.utk.edu/
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Contacts:
Elizabeth Davis, UT media relations, (865) 974-5179, elizabeth.davis@tennessee.edu
Phyllis Moore, Alumni Affairs, (865) 974-3011, phyllismoore@tennessee.edu