Parade, Pep Rally, Game, and More Will Mark U of M Homecoming Oct. 24-25

For release: October 14, 2008
For press information, contact Gabrielle Maxey, 901/678-2843

Homecoming 2008 will roar onto campus with a full slate of events for Tiger fans at the University of Memphis. Along with the football game against the Southern Mississippi Eagles, many student events and activities for alumni and the general public are also planned. They include:

Friday, Oct. 24:

5:30 p.m. – The Alumni Association’s Family and Friends Homecoming Parade, hosted by the Alumni Association and Student Activities Council, with U of M President Shirley Raines and Athletic Director R.C. Johnson as special guests. The parade route begins on Walker (between the campus and the railroad tracks) and winds through the U of M campus, ending at the Student Plaza near the Administration Building. Highlights will include float and banner competitions, the Mighty Sound of the South marching band, Tiger spirit squads, ROTC cadets, and Pouncer, the U of M mascot. Free parking will be available in the Central Avenue and Southern parking lots.

(NOTE: Zach Curlin Street will close about 4 p.m. to allow the parade to form. Patterson will be closed between Walker and Watauga some time after 5:30 p.m. Zach Curlin and Walker will reopen as soon as the end of the parade turns north on Patterson. Central will remain open the entire time.)

6:30 p.m. – Pep Rally at the end of the parade route near the Student Plaza fountain. Tiger Coach Tommy West will be the special guest, along with the recipients of the Alumni Association’s True Blue Tradition and Parent of the Year awards. Complimentary food will be provided by Huey’s restaurants.

Saturday, Oct. 25:

7 p.m. – Football game, Memphis vs. the University of Southern Mississippi, Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Alumni Association President Martin Zummach will present the True Blue Tradition and Parent of the Year awards at halftime. For ticket information, call 901-678-2331 or go online to www.gotigersgo.com

Other Homecoming activities include two Half Century Club events on Oct. 24: a reunion brunch honoring the Class of 1958 at 10:30 a.m. at the home of President Raines and a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Alumni Center. For more information, contact alumni coordinator Ryan Jones at 901-678-1333 or rjones1@memphis.edu

There also will be a Parents Club lunch Oct. 25 at 11 a.m. at the Alumni Center. For more details, contact alumni coordinator Shawn Carter at 901-678-5016 or smcarter@memphis.edu

More details about U of M Homecoming 2008 are available at www.memphis.edu/alumni/homecoming.php