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Homecoming events put you "in the game"

Oct. 10, 2006

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University is treating the public to a week of exciting activities during its 2006 Homecoming celebration through Sunday, Oct. 14.

The highpoint of this year's celebration, which revolves around the theme "Get in the Game," will be the annual homecoming football contest at 2 p.m. Saturday. The gridiron event will pit the WMU Broncos against the Northern Illinois University Huskies.

Among the many activities open to the public during the eight-day festivities will be a 5K and 1K run/walk; the wild and wacky Western Olympics; and a variety of shows, concerts and athletic competitions. Many of these events are free.

Students will help the community celebrate homecoming by staging two annual public events Friday, Oct. 13--the soap box derby at noon on Gilkinson Avenue in front of the Sindecuse Health Center and the Western Games from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Goldsworth Valley intramural fields.

Hundreds of University and community members will kick off Saturday's activities by enjoying the annual Campus Classic race/walk, either as participants, volunteers or spectators.

Other Bronco friends and fans will rev up for the gridiron contest by congregating in the corporate area of the tent village near the College of Health and Human Services building, while many alumni will gather at the Alumni Association PepFest being staged at Kanley track from noon to 1:30 p.m.

The PepFest is open to all alumni and will include a fun, festive atmosphere with games, a caricaturist, raffle drawings and food concessions. University administrators, Buster Bronco and the marching band will stop by to provide entertainment.

Additional activities taking place throughout homecoming week include:

Wednesday, Oct. 11--A free Russian Film Series showing of "Brother" at 7 p.m. on the 10th floor of Sprau Tower and a Skit Night at 7 p.m. in Miller Auditorium, during which registered student organizations will employ acting, dancing, elaborate sets and innovative scripts while competing to show the most Western spirit on campus.

Thursday, Oct. 12--A University Theatre presentation of "The Lion In Winter" (through Oct. 15) at 8 p.m. in Shaw Theatre, a free concert by the University Jazz Orchestra at 8:15 p.m. in the Dalton Center Recital Hall, and a comedy performance by Frank Caliendo of MAD TV fame at 8 p.m. in Miller Auditorium.

Friday, Oct. 13--A free public lecture by alumnus Ed Gordon, an Emmy-Award winning broadcaster, at noon in Room 3502 of Knauss Hall; the Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner at 6:30 p.m. in the Bernhard Center's East Ballroom; and the comedy show "An Evening with Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood" at 8 p.m. in Miller Auditorium.

Saturday, Oct. 14--A Latino alumni reunion from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 204 of the Bernhard Center, the annual National Pan-Hellenic Council March Down featuring the art of stepping at 8 p.m. in Miller Auditorium and the Onyx Society Alumni Ball at 9 p.m. in the Bernhard Center's East Ballroom.

Sunday, Oct. 15--A free concert by the University Symphony Orchestra at 3 p.m. in Miller Auditorium and a Bronco hockey game against Michigan State University at 3 p.m. in Lawson Arena.

More information about the activities taking place at WMU during homecoming week, including cost and registration details, is available by visiting www.wmich.edu/homecoming.

Media contact: Jeanne Baron, (269) 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu

WMU News
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