Purdue News

September 9, 2002 Purdue Homecoming expected to be largest in school history WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A victory march, school displays, live entertainment and a barbecue lunch are just a few of the events scheduled for Purdue University's 2002 Homecoming. More than 10,000 alumni are expected to return on Saturday, Sept. 28., for football and festivities. Homecoming day will feature an afternoon of activities, culminating with the Purdue vs. Minnesota Homecoming game, which kicks off at 5 p.m. Purdue President Martin C. Jischke says this will be a memorable Homecoming. "We're pulling out all the stops this year," Jischke says. "As one of the world's great universities, we want to spotlight the legacy Purdue has left, along with the tremendous contributions Purdue continues to make." A Discover Purdue celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. on the Purdue Mall and Purdue Memorial Mall. Speakers will include Jischke, Purdue Alumni Association executive director Larry Preo and Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke. Astronauts also will be available to pose for photos and sign autographs. Entertainment will be provided by the: • Purdue University "All American" Marching Band. • Black Voices of Inspiration. • Jahari Dancers. • PMO Express. • Purdue Varsity Glee Club. • Purduettes. • Purdue Dance Team. • Purdue Cheerleaders. • Liberal Arts Theatre and Dance Division. • Purdue Twirlers. • Sisters of Thunder. • Tony Zamora Jazz Band. • Dixieland Band. • Magician Mark Brandyberry. • Piano Man Bruce Barker. Mike Piggott, Purdue's director of community relations, and Max Armstrong, WGN farm broadcaster and Purdue alumnus, will serve as the entertainment emcees. A 200th birthday celebration also will take place in recognition of John Purdue's Oct. 3, 1802, birth. The Boilermaker Special, Purdue Pete and the Purdue Police ASAP Trans Am will make special appearances. University schools and departments will provide displays highlighting new discoveries in their areas. Extreme Team College Games will offer competitive events for students throughout the Memorial Mall area. They include mountain bike racing, a 40-foot high rock wall and high-tech adventure race obstacles. Prizes will be presented. Younger children can enjoy a moon walk, a bungee run, a dunk tank, a coloring contest and face painting. A pulled pork barbecue lunch from Shoup's Country Foods will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Purdue Armory. Reservations for the lunch can be made by calling the Special Events Office at (800) 213-3044 or (765) 494-0900 or e-mailing them at events@purdue.edu. The meal is $6 for adults and free for children 10 and under. The Purdue football players will make a "victory march" from the Purdue Memorial Union through the mall area to the stadium at 1:10 p.m. The Purdue "All-American" Marching Band will perform its usual Slayter Hill ensemble on the steps of Hovde Hall. They will then lead fans to the stadium following the grand finale at approximately 3:45 p.m. After the game, a Music Fest will be on the Purdue Mall. It will feature Purdue Bands and Purdue Musical Organizations. A laser show will conclude the day’s festivities. Purdue special events director Linda Mills says Jischke wants to conduct the largest Homecoming celebration ever to showcase time-honored Purdue traditions and all that Purdue offers. "This event also will provide alumni, students and the community an environment where unity will be evident throughout the campus," Mills says. "Everyone will be amazed as they Discover Purdue." A week of student festivities will lead up to Homecoming day. An all-campus cookout at various locations will be from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23. A sand volleyball and tug-of-war contest will take place at Vawter Field from 3-10 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 24. A talent competition will take place Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Loeb Playhouse. The annual Purdue Boilermaker Night Train Parade will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26. The parade will begin at the intersection of Tower and North Russell drives. It will travel down North Russell Drive and take a right on First Street, where it will continue to MacArthur Drive and take another right. The parade will then make its way up MacArthur Drive to Third Street, where it will take a right and head up to North Intramural Drive. There it will take a left and proceed to Ross-Ade Stadium. A pep rally will follow at 8 p.m. on Slayter Hill. The evening will conclude with a concert on the hill at 9 p.m. Justin Higer, director of special events for the Purdue Student Union Board, says students are looking forward to Homecoming and the events leading up to it. "Everybody is pretty excited about all of the new activities as well as the parade," Higer says. "We're looking forward to starting several new traditions." Updated details on Homecoming can be viewed on line. CONTACT: Special Events office, (765) 494-0900, or (800) 213-3044, events@purdue.edu; Justin Higer, (765) 494-8976, psub-specialevents@purdue.edu. NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Journalists are invited to cover all of the Homecoming events. Contact Linda Mills at (765) 496-6911 to make arrangements. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page