Homecoming's Big Blue Wave About to Crash on ODU Campus Shores

A Big Blue Wave is headed straight for Old Dominion University.

It's scheduled to hit the campus on Wednesday, Oct. 12, the start of the university's Homecoming celebration. Big Blue Wave is the theme for this year's Homecoming festivities.

Activities will include gatherings for alumni, events for students and the annual Homecoming parade, followed by the Monarchs' first football Homecoming as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association football conference. ODU hosts Towson on Saturday, Oct. 15, with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Foreman Field at S.B. Ballard Stadium.

"Old Dominion University's alumni, more than 115,000 strong worldwide, have more reason than ever to come back to campus and celebrate Homecoming with us," said President John Broderick. "There's truly something for everyone in this year's exciting calendar of events."

The Homecoming celebrations will include a 50th anniversary reunion for the Class of 1961. There will also be a special project on Saturday, where students tell the story of their school in their own words.

Here is a list of events that will take place during Homecoming week:

Wednesday, Oct. 12

The Comedy Central on Campus Comedy Show comes to the North Cafeteria of Webb Center at 8 p.m., featuring comedians TJ Miller, Jermaine Fowler and Nick Vatterott.

Thursday, Oct. 13

Students will build creations out of nonperishable food items on Kaufman Mall in the Center for Service and Civic Engagement's CanSculpture competition. Beginning at 6 a.m., students will begin assembling their statues, which will be judged on creativity and stability. Judging will take place at 12:15 p.m., with the winner announced at 1 p.m. All nonperishable food items will be donated to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

Also on Kaufman Mall, the Monarch Pride Day celebration gets under way at 11 a.m. The four-hour event features music, refreshments, students proudly sporting ODU colors and the announcement of the Homecoming court. Awards will be given for the best student organization banner and spirit video, as well as the best-decorated office and residence hall lobby.

At 7 p.m., the Ted Constant Convocation Center will host the National Pan-Hellenic Council's Homecoming Step Show, featuring ODU's fraternities and sororities.

Friday, Oct. 14

The annual Founders' Day luncheon will be held at noon in the Big Blue Room of the Constant Center. The event costs $20. For tickets, call 683-5759.

At 4 p.m., the finals of the girls-only Powderpuff Football tournament will be held at the Student Recreation Center.

At 6 p.m., ODU's third annual Alumni Honors Dinner will be held at the Norfolk Marriott Waterside. The event celebrates the university's Distinguished Alumni, Honorary Alumni and Alumni Service award winners, and will recognize the 50th anniversary class of 1961. Tickets are $100 each. Call the Office of Alumni Relations at 683-3097 for more information.

The Homecoming concert will take over the Ted at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the show, which features J. Cole and Big Sean with special guest Kids These Days. Tickets are available at the information kiosk in Webb Center, at the Ted box office or at www.constantcenter.com. Tickets are $15 for students ($22 the day of the show) and $25 for the general public ($35 the day of the show).

Saturday, Oct. 15

Game-day events, including a pregame party at noon on Kaufman Mall, will lead up to kickoff. Fans are asked to wear white to the game, which is sold out.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, ODU Today, a program hosted by the ODU Alumni Association, offers a chance to hear ODU administrators talk about how the school has evolved over the years, and what lies ahead for the university. It will be held at the Barry M. Kornblau Alumni Center. RSVP to 888-ODU-3435 or odualumni@odu.edu.

At 10 a.m., the Student Recreation Center will sponsor an open house and tour of the facility for alumni.

At 11 a.m., the Homecoming parade will begin on streets around campus. Join students, faculty, staff, alumni, the ODU Marching Band and the community as the Big Blue Wave makes its way around the parade route. Floats will be judged on originality, incorporation of the Homecoming theme, special effects and overall enthusiasm of the participants.

At noon, the annual ODU Athletics Hall of Fame Lunch will be held in the lobby of the Constant Center. The event will feature the induction of five former ODU athletes. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by calling Jackie Barrow at 683-3359.

Finally, don't be surprised if some ODU students stop to ask you about your Homecoming experience. A group of students is working collaboratively with the university's Office of University Relations and the Mace & Crown student newspaper to tell the story of Homecoming in an engaging, exciting way. Students who would like to take part should contact Brendan O'Hallarn in the university relations office at bohallar@odu.edu.

Sunday, Oct. 16

At 11 a.m., the ODU Department of Accounting hosts its 13th annual 5K run around campus, an event that's open to runners and walkers. Registration is required, and can be accepted up until 10:30 a.m. on race day. For more information or to register, contact Randall Spurrier, race coordinator, at rspurrier@odu.edu or call 757-567-1930.

For more information about any Homecoming event, contact the Homecoming organizing committee at homecoming@odu.edu.