Campus to celebrate Homecoming 2001 luau-style

Several new events will premiere this year as part of the Homecoming celebrations.

This year’s Badger Luau theme celebration includes the new Charity Ball Saturday, Oct. 20. This event, like all traditional Homecoming events since 1987, will benefit the Dean of Students Crisis Fund.

Festivities kick off with a campus cleanup on Friday, Oct. 19, to ready the campus for the more than 20 events planned throughout the week, culminating with the football game against Michigan State Saturday, Oct. 27.

“Homecoming 2001 is an especially important year for us to raise money for the Dean of Students Crisis Fund,” says Homecoming co-chair Jim Strode. “This campus organization helps students who need financial support in emergency situations, such as those who traveled home to the New York and D.C. areas after the tragic events of Sept. 11. The whole week will allow us to bring a lighthearted spirit to campus again, while doing our part to help those in need.”

Traditional events include the Charity Run/Walk, Red Cross Blood Drive, Yell-Like-Hell competition, fireworks on the Terrace and parade down State Street. Students will honor Dane County resident and best-selling author, Jacqueline Mitchard, as the 2001 parade grand marshal.

“As always, the student volunteers on the Homecoming Committee have done an outstanding job planning a mix of events that appeal to students, alumni, families and community members alike,” says Wisconsin Alumni Association President and CEO Paula Bonner. “The time-honored Homecoming traditions such as Yell-Like-Hell and the parade are what keep them coming back, and our students always manage to add a new twist that makes them even more fun than the year before.”

The schedule of activities:

Friday, Oct. 19
Campus Clean-Up
2-6 p.m.
Contact: Kari Klasen, 265-2731
This event organizes students to pick up all the litter on the campus. Students meet at Library Mall and are given a specific part of campus to “clean up” to beautify the university before the festivities begin.

Saturday, Oct. 20
Charity Ball
8 p.m.-12 a.m.
Contact: Jim Strode, 265-2731
The entire student population is invited to attend this new event, a dance that will take place on the first and second levels of Grainger Hall. The cost is $5 per person, which includes appetizers and live music by local band SuperTuesday. Attendance is capped at 800 students, and this event will be a non-alcohol function, benefiting the Dean of Students Crisis Fund.

Sunday, Oct. 21
Charity Run/Walk
Noon
Contact: Sarah Dobbratz, hccharityrun@uwalumni.com
The race begins at noon on Sunday in front of the Memorial Union and includes a 5K run and a 3K walk that wraps around campus via Langdon Street, State Street and Observatory, finishing back at the Memorial Union. Approximately 500 people have attended in the past, but we have room to grow.

Multicultural Celebration of Cultures
Contact: J’Nai Buchanen, multicultural@uwalumni.com
This event is held at 1 p.m. on Library Mall. Several multicultural groups from campus will perform. Performances will range from dancing to yoga.

Monday, Oct. 22
Badger Games
8 p.m.
Contact: RJ Eisemann, 265-2731
This competitive event is held on the turf at the McClain Center. Student organizations, residence halls and Greeks will compete against each other in various party games. Attendance is estimated at 300.

Tuesday, Oct. 23
Tug O’ War
4-7 p.m.
Contact: Emily Soehnlein, 265-2731
Held in the backyard of Witte Hall, groups including student organizations, residence halls, Greeks and non-affiliates will compete in a “tug o’ war” contest in the volleyball pits during the late afternoon. Estimated participation is 100.

Wednesday, Oct. 24
Banners and Red and White Day
12-3 p.m.
Contact: Julia Brichta, 265-2731
This event is held on Library Mall in the afternoon, and offers participants the chance to view a gallery of the banners made by student groups throughout the week. Those who display their Homecoming spirit by wearing red and white will receive leis from Homecoming Committee representatives circulating through Library Mall.

Spirit Parade & Yell-Like-Hell
Spirit Parade begins at 5:45 p.m. with Yell-Like-Hell immediately following
Contact: Krissy Zuehlke, 265-2731
The Spirit Parade starts at the Natatorium with the Bucky Wagon and a police escort. It’s goal is to get as many students to join in the parade that loops around the campus area and ends at the steps of the Memorial Union for the Yell-Like-Hell competition and Pep Rally. At this event, students are lined up on the street and are called by their group to perform their “cheer” on the steps.

Thursday, Oct. 25
Concert
Contact: Katie Press, concert@uwalumni.com
This year’s act, Harmony Riley, has opened for the popular band Cheap Trick. The concert will be held at 9:30 p.m. at the Memorial Union Rathskeller. Attendance is free.

Friday, Oct. 26
Golf Outing
Contact: Adam Sheridan, golfouting@uwalumni.com
This annual event is held at University Ridge Golf Course, and draws around 100 participants. Participants can win tons of door prizes, and tickets include lunch and a photo opportunity with Bucky Badger.

Parade
6 p.m.
Contact: Kimmy Boeschen, parade@uwalumni.com
The parade will set up on Langdon Street and run down State Street, finishing at the corner of Park and State. We’re planning for 70 parade entrants and thousands of spectators.

Awards Presentation and Fireworks
Begins immediately following parade.
Contact: Meaghan Brennen, 265-2731
Awards will be given for participation throughout the week, followed by a fireworks show from a barge in Lake Mendota or from the Alumni Pier. Festivities include introduction of the Parade Grand Marshall, Spirit Squad, Yell-Like-Hell winners, the UW Marching Band and Bucky Badger.Saturday, Oct. 27
Badger Huddle
Contact: Jeff Wendorf, 262-9645
This tailgate is organized by WAA in the Fieldhouse the morning of the football game.