Homecoming Week Activities Are Out of This World
Space ... the final frontier for Old Dominion University.
The school has grown in size and scope at such a dramatic rate that where else except outer space could ODU celebrate its 2013 Homecoming? "ODUniverse - Journey to the Blue Galaxy" is the theme of this year's Homecoming Week celebrations, scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 6.
The week is filled with cultural activities, community service events, a concert, a parade and, of course, the annual Homecoming football game, against Liberty University, on Saturday, Oct. 5.
"While it's always great to see alumni, there is an extra level of energy that comes naturally with Homecoming week," said Dana Allen, ODU's assistant vice president for alumni relations. "We're hoping everyone comes back to the center of the ODU Universe and participates in something that fits for them."
The week's activities include a surprise announcement in Webb Center at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. The entire campus community is invited.
The buildup to Homecoming Week has already started. Every Friday through the month of September, charity T-shirt swaps are being hosted around campus. Students, staff and faculty can exchange a T-shirt, which will be donated to a local charity, for a shirt with an "I Love Spirit Fridays" ODU logo.
Homecoming organizers encourage fans to wear ODU colors at sporting events throughout Homecoming Week, including the first home games for Old Dominion teams in Conference USA, the university's new athletic conference.
On Friday, Oct. 4, there will be a soccer doubleheader at the ODU Soccer Complex. The Lady Monarchs will take on East Carolina at 5 p.m., followed by the men's team tangling with the University of Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks will follow the second game.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, there will be an open practice at 10 a.m. for the ODU Lady Monarchs basketball team in the Jim Jarrett Athletic Administration Building practice gym. At noon, the ODU Sports Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon will be held in the Ted Constant Convocation Center Hall of Fame Lobby. For tickets, call 683-3359.
Saturday's sold-out football game against Liberty, the football program's 33rd straight sellout, will kick off at 6 p.m. at Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium. The game will be televised on Cox channel 114 in Hampton Roads, and can be heard on ESPN 94.1 FM radio.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, the Lady Monarchs host the University of Texas-San Antonio in soccer at 1 p.m., and the field hockey team hosts Georgetown at 2 p.m. at the L.R. Hill Athletic Complex on Powhatan Avenue.
Other Homecoming events include the annual Alumni Honors Dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3. Tickets are $100 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available; call 888-ODU-3435 for more information.
On Friday, Oct. 4, the 11 a.m. surprise announcement in Webb Center will be followed by ODU's Founders' Day Luncheon at noon in the Big Blue Room of the Constant Center. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Office of University Events at 683-5759.
At 8 p.m. Friday, the annual Homecoming Concert at the Constant Center will feature AWOLNATION and Twenty One Pilots. Tickets are available on www.ynottix.com.
On Saturday, Oct. 5, the annual, Homecoming Parade will begin to snake its way around campus to kick off the day's celebrations. Prime viewing spots for the free event, which starts at 1:30 p.m., are located on 49th Street and Hampton Boulevard.
At halftime of the football game, the Homecoming court will be introduced, and the Homecoming king and queen announced. After the game, there will be fireworks.
For a complete list of Homecoming activities, see the calendar on the ODU Alumni Association website at http://www.odualumni.org/homecoming/.