October 22, 2015
Homecoming kicks into high gear
A pep rally, parade, reunions, tailgating and football mark Homecoming 2015 festivities this week.
The “Salukis, Respect the Royalty” Pep Rally is at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, on the Old Main lawn, near Davies Gymnasium, with free food, music and Homecoming T-shirts for students. The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Homecoming Step Show, a longstanding homecoming tradition, takes place at 6:34 p.m. at Shyrock Auditorium and there’s Saluki volleyball against Drake University at 7 p.m. in Davies Gym.
The homecoming parade starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, in downtown Carbondale. Gilbert Kroening, alumnus and longtime faculty member and agriculture dean at SIU, is this year’s grand marshal. The College of Agricultural Sciences celebrates its 60th birthday this year.
Due to the potential for rain on Saturday, a rain call for the Homecoming parade will be made at 7 a.m. Saturday. Check the SIU 2015 Homecoming website.
The tailgating fun begins at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, on Saluki Row, near Saluki Stadium. A new pre-game event will take place from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. south of the SIU Arena grand staircase courtesy of the Saluki men’s and women’s basketball teams.
The homecoming football game kicks off at 6 p.m. with the Salukis taking on Youngstown State. The homecoming court coronation, award for best student float and presentation of the inaugural Homecoming Spirit Contest award will all take place at halftime.