By SARA GIBONEY
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – “Rock n’ Roll” is the theme for the 2014 University of Nebraska at Kearney Homecoming Week, Family Day and Band Day events, which are set for Monday through Friday.
“Students are still getting acclimated to campus and college life. A lot of freshman participate in homecoming because it helps build community, build excitement for being a Loper, and it builds school spirit,” said Heather Wolf, assistant director for student activities. “School spirit is number one when it comes to homecoming.”
Homecoming events also help build community engagement, she said.
Between 6,000 and 7,000 people attend the Homecoming parade, alumni come back for the lip sync contest and community members serve as judges for many events during the week. “The community gets really involved in Homecoming,” Wolf said.
There will be events each day of Homecoming Week.
On Monday, a Lawn Display Competition will take place at 3 p.m. at residence halls and Greek houses. Battle of the Brains is at 7 p.m. on the Campus Greens.
The Spirit Competition is at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Health and Sports Center. Winners of the Spirit Competition will perform that night between the second and third sets of the homecoming volleyball game against Fort Hays State University, which begins at 7 p.m.
A Canned Food Build will allow students to compete to create the best sculpture at 7 p.m. Wednesday on the Campus Greens. Teams are given donations or purchase their own perishable food items to create structures based on the homecoming theme. Canned goods are then donated to area food banks. Last year, nearly 3,000 pounds were donated, Wolf said.
The Lip Sync Competition begins at 7 p.m., and Homecoming Royalty Crowning is at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Health and Sports Center. The Lip Sync Competition will feature special performances by a cappella group Breath of Soul. The group will also serve as the event’s master of ceremonies.
On Friday, students will compete in an adventure race across campus beginning at 5 p.m.
Saturday’s Homecoming Week events feature the Homecoming Parade, Band Day and Family Day activities.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Museum of Nebraska Art and progresses south on Central Avenue before finishing at the West Co. parking lot at 923 W. Railroad St. Audrey Kauders, director of the Museum of Nebraska Art, will serve as the grand marshal for the parade.
Area bands taking part in Band Day will then participate in the Bearcat Marching Festival, which begins at 1 p.m. at Kearney High School.
The homecoming football game against Missouri Southern State University kicks off at 3 p.m. at Foster Field.
Homecoming royalty will be honored at halftime of the football game. Other halftime activities include recognition of new inductees into the UNK Athletic Hall of Fame, Band Day parade awards and announcement of homecoming sweepstakes winners. The UNK Sapphire Dance team and UNK Pride of the Plains marching band will also perform.
UNK Homecoming Highlights
Monday, Sept. 15
3 p.m. – Lawn Display Judging (Campus Residence Halls)
5 p.m. – Battle of the Brains (Campus Greens/Cope Fountain)
Tuesday, Sept. 16
5 p.m. – Spirit Competition (Health & Sports Center)
7 p.m. – Volleyball vs Fort Hays State (Health & Sports Center)
Wednesday, Sept. 17
5 p.m. – Canned Food Build (Cope Fountain)
Thursday, Sept. 18
7 p.m. – Lip Sync Competition (Health & Sports Center)
9 p.m. – Homecoming Royalty Crowning (Health & Sports Center)
Friday, Sept. 19
11:30 a.m. – Distinguished Alumni Awards Luncheon (Ponderosa Room)
4 p.m. – One Room, One Teacher Awards Ceremony (College of Education)
5 p.m. – Adventure Race
5:30 p.m. – Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Banquet (Ponderosa Room)
7 p.m. – Volleyball vs Central Oklahoma (Health & Sports Center)
Saturday, Sept. 20
10 a.m. – Homecoming Band Day Parade (Downtown Kearney)
11:30 a.m. – Loper Luncheon Alumni BBQ (Alumni House)
Noon – Volleyball vs Missouri Southern St. (Health & Sports Center)
Noon to 6 p.m. – Celebrating 125 Years of the Frank House (Frank House)
1:30 p.m. – Loperville Tailgate football pregame (Cope Stadium)
3 p.m. – UNK Football vs Missouri Southern (Foster Field)
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Source: Heather Wolf, 308.865.8057, wolfhn@unk.edu
Writer: Sara Giboney, 308.865.8529, giboneys2@unk.edu
