Broncos 'bleed brown and gold' for Homecoming

Contact: Thom Myers
Photo of Homecoming Queen Katie Ballman and King Clifford Pulley III with President John Dunn.

2011 Homecoming Queen Katie Ballman and King Clifford Pulley III with President John Dunn

KALAMAZOO—A week of "We Bleed Brown and Gold" activities will culminate Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5-6, when Western Michigan University students, alumni, families and fans gather for Homecoming Weekend 2012.

Restaurants, retailers and other downtown Kalamazoo businesses will be vying Oct. 1-5 to become the champs of “Spirit Week,” creatively displaying WMU colors and emblems, flying WMU flags and offering special student discounts.

Main events

Friday, Oct. 5

Distinguished Alumni Award Dinner, honoring Dr. Jan A. Huston and C. Wesley Smith, Bernhard Center Ballroom, 6:15 p.m. Reservations required by Oct. 1, $40 per person.

Downtown Pep Rally, Bronco Marching Band, Cheer and Dance teams, and WMU football team will march the length of the Kalamazoo Mall to kick off a pep rally, North Kalamazoo Mall next to the Radisson Plaza, 8:30 p.m. Free.

Saturday, Oct. 6

Homecoming Campus Classic 5K and 1K races, Student Recreation Center, race-day registration opens at 7 a.m.; 1K Fun Run, 8:45 a.m.; 5K Run and Walk, 9:15 a.m. Register online by Oct. 4 for reduced entry fee.

Bronco football vs. U-Mass, featuring Parade of Nations and homecoming awards, Waldo Stadium, 2 p.m. Tickets: wmubroncos.com or (888) 4-WMU-TIX.
 
National Pan-Hellenic Council Marchdown, Read Fieldhouse, 6 p.m. Free.
 
Bronco hockey vs. Western Ontario, Lawson Ice Arena, 7 p.m. Tickets: wmubroncos.com or (888) 4-WMU-TIX.
 

Complete calendar of homecoming events

More highlights

  • Homecoming King and Queen online voting, Oct. 1-5
  • Richmond Center art exhibitions, Oct. 1-5
  • Qdoba Homecoming Kickoff and "Canstruction" design competition, Oct. 1
  • Yell Like Hell, Oct. 2
  • School of Music concerts, Oct. 3, 4, 6 and 7
  • Comedian Ty Barnett, Oct. 4
  • University Theatre presents "Fuddy Meers," Oct. 4-7
  • Soapbox Derby, Oct. 5

Go to wmich.edu/visit/hotels for Kalamazoo area hotel accommodations and more links for visitors.