Mizzou Homecoming: 'Paws' for Tradition
Community and Campus Get Ready for a 96-year-old Tradition
Oct. 17, 2007
Story Contact: Christian Basi, 573-882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu
COLUMBIA, Mo.-Homecoming is much more than a packed football game, a parade of floats and jubilant tailgates. This Saturday, the University of Missouri-Columbia will celebrate a 96-year-old tradition that brings together students, alumni, faculty and the community. The 2007 Homecoming "Paws for Tradition" inspires a range of activities including a campus decorating competition and blood drive.
"The 27-member Homecoming Steering Committee, along with three homecoming tri-directors, has been working hard on the 2007 Homecoming events since February," said Laura Bondy, Homecoming coordinator. "
Service is a large part of the homecoming experience at Mizzou. This year, the 2007 Homecoming Blood Drive raised more than 4,100 units of blood, which will be used to help save more than 12,000 lives. Homecoming is a great time for students, alumni, faculty/staff and community members to take a moment and 'Paws' for Tradition.”
Unique to this year's homecoming is the Arvarh E. Strickland Hall Dedication (formally General Class Building) and the Mizzou Legacy Walk Dedication at the Reynolds Alumni Center. In addition, MU's fifth annual Black Family Reunion Union will host several events on Friday, Oct. 19 and Saturday, Oct. 20 for alumni.
Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Roger Wehrli, known as "Roger the Dodger" and a 1970 graduate of MU's College of Education, is this year's grand marshal of the homecoming parade. While at MU, Wehrli was a three-time football letter winner in 1966-68, setting eight MU records including most interceptions in a season and most in a game. He also was named All-American and had the opportunity to play in all-star games. Mehrli played for the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals from 1969-82.
This year's parade route will be slightly different. The new route will give the parade more time in the District and Columbia community, allow for easier and closer parking and lengthen the parade to allow for more attendants. To access a map of the new parade route and find more information about homecoming, visit the Mizzou Homecoming site. A schedule of events is attached.
"Our alumni really get into tradition," said Todd McCubbin, assistant vice chancellor for alumni relations. "People are proud of our homecoming; their involvement with homecoming activities as students really makes them want to come back and engage in the activities. They want to come back and enjoy the activities as alumni and share the experience with their kids."
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2007 MU Homecoming Schedule
Friday, Oct. 19
Arvarh E. Strickland Hall Dedication
10 a.m., Brady Commons Mall – south of the School of Law
Alumni Luncheon & Mizzou Update with Chancellor
11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center
Mizzou Legacy Walk Dedication
2 p.m., Reynolds Alumni Center
Open House in the Residence
3 to 4 p.m., Frances Quadrangle
Get Acquainted Networking Reception
6 to 7:30 p.m., Jesse Hall-First Floor
Campus Decorations
6 to 10 p.m., Greek Town-Campus
Spirit Rally
8 p.m., Greek Town-Campus
8 p.m., Jesse Auditorium
Saturday, Oct. 20
Brewer Breakfast
8 a.m., Brewer Fieldhouse
8:30 a.m., Campus and Columbia
Black Family Reunion Tailgate
11:30 a.m., Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center
Ellis Library Open House
10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Ellis Library
Homecoming Game vs. Texas Tech
2:30 p.m., Memorial Stadium