UA to Hold Annual Homecoming Week Oct. 13-19

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Entertainment, lawn decorations, a parade and pep rally are all part of The University of Alabama tradition of celebrating Homecoming Week, scheduled this year for Oct. 13-19.

The theme for Homecoming Week 2002 is “Reflections.”

The kickoff for the celebration begins with the 14th annual “Roll Tide Run” on Sunday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. Friday night’s concert on the Quad will feature Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for their songs “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Freebird,” “What’s Your Name,” and “Gimme Three Steps.” The week will end with the main event, the UA football game against Ole Miss at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19.

As part of UA’s 2002 Homecoming Week, MTV will be on campus along with their video jockeys taking in all the Homecoming festivities. UA will be featured with four other colleges from around the country in the network’s first-ever show called “MTV’s Homecoming Weekend.” UA Homecoming highlights that will be featured in the two-hour show include the parade, pep rally, bonfire and football game. The show will air on MTV Saturday, Oct. 26.

On Monday, Oct. 14, student organizations can participate in “Paint the Town Red,” where local businesses on the Strip are decorated with designs in crimson and white paint.

The Homecoming Queen election will be held Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m.-midnight with students able to use Internet voting for the second year. Students can access voting from any computer by going to www.vote.ua.edu.

The queen will be announced at the pep rally on Friday night. She will be crowned during the halftime show at the football game.

Students can also enjoy Bowl for Bama on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Bama Bowl.

On Thursday night, a choreography competition will take place at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Amphitheater. The winners of the competition will perform at Homecoming on the Quad on Saturday. The banner contest judging will take place on Thursday.

Events scheduled for Friday, Oct. 18, include the Quad games, which will be at 1-4 p.m. and the Road and River Relay, which begins at 2 p.m. The judging of the lawn decorations and “Paint the Town Red” competition will begin at 1 p.m. on Oct. 18.

The traditional bonfire will follow the pep rally, which begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, on the Quad. The pep rally will include the Crimson Tide football team, cheerleaders, students, alumni and guest speakers.

Immediately following the bonfire on the Quad, University Programs will present Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert.

This year, Bob Baumhower will serve as the grand marshal for the homecoming parade, which is set for 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. The parade route will begin in downtown Tuscaloosa, proceed down University Boulevard and conclude at the Russell Student Health Center.

Baumhower was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference tackle, twice named to All-American teams, a member of the All-Decade team and played in the Senior Bowl during his years at the University. One of the highlights of Baumhower’s UA career, which consisted of 153 tackles, was his selection as ABC’s “Player of the Game” for making 13 tackles in the 28-0 win over Auburn in 1975. Baumhower continued his football career as a nose tackle with the Miami Dolphins. With this team, he earned recognition as 1977 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, a member of the 1977 All-Rookie Team, 1983 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, five Pro-Bowls and several All-AFC and All-NFL teams. He is also the owner of Aloha Hospitality International, which is the parent company of Wings Sports Grille, Calypso and Mango’s. He and his wife have four children and currently reside in Baldwin County.

Fans of all ages can also find entertainment at Homecoming on the Quad, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. On Saturday, several colleges and schools at the University will host breakfasts or receptions and will be showcased under individual tents around the “Big Top” on the Quad. Lunch under the Big Top will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

The UA 2002 Homecoming schedule includes:

Sunday, Oct. 13

• 14th Annual “Roll Tide Run,” 2 p.m., begins at Gorgas Library

Monday, Oct. 14

• “Paint the Town Red” competition, the Strip
• The Dolomites on the Ferguson Plaza, 1 p.m.
• Poetry of Big Poppa E and Comedian Mike Epps at the Bama Theatre, 7 p.m. — Students are free, $3 for faculty/staff, $5 general admission

Tuesday, Oct. 15

• Homecoming Queen Election, 9 a.m.-midnight, Internet voting
• Live Painting Exhibition, Richard Hight, Ferguson Plaza, noon, painting portraits of Bear Bryant, Sara Patterson, and Vivian Malone Jones
• “Army of Darkness,” 7:30 p.m., Ferguson Theater, showing through Oct. 17

Wednesday, Oct. 16

• Bowl for Bama, at the Bama Bowl, 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
• Megatron Laser Tag from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Ferguson Plaza

Thursday, Oct. 17

• Choreography Contest, 7 p.m., Riverside Amphitheater
• Banner Contest Judging, 5 p.m., Tutwiler Residence Hall
• Residence Hall Decoration Judging, 4 p.m., Residence Halls

Friday, Oct. 18

• Lawn Decorations and “Paint the Town Red” Judging, 1 p.m.
• Quad Games 2002, 1-4 p.m.
• Road and River Relay, 2 p.m., UA Quad
• Pep Rally/ Bonfire, 7 p.m., UA Quad
• Lynyrd Skynyrd, free concert on the Quad, after pep rally/bonfire

Saturday, Oct. 19

• Homecoming Parade, 9 a.m., begins in downtown Tuscaloosa, proceeds down University Boulevard and ends at the Russell Student Health Center
• Homecoming on the Quad, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• The Elephant Stomp on the Quad, approximately one hour before game time
• Alabama-Ole Miss football game, Bryant-Denny Stadium

Saturday receptions include:

Capstone College of Nursing (CCN)

Breakfast on the Quad, 8:30-10:30 a.m., college tent

College of Communication and Information Sciences

Open house, 9 a.m., Reese Phifer Rotunda

College of Arts and Sciences

Breakfast and departmental displays and demonstrations on the Quad, 9 a.m., college tent

Law School

Pre-game party, Camille Wright Cook Plaza (Law School front porch), 3 hours prior to kickoff (call 205/348-5752 for ticket information)

College of Engineering

Pre-game party on the Quad, 2 1/2 hours prior to kickoff (call 205/348-7674)

College of Education

Breakfast on the Quad, 9-11 a.m., college tent (call 205/348-6881)

College of Human Environmental Sciences

Friday:

• Coffee, 9:30 a.m., Alumni Room, VIP Tours
• Alumni Recognition Convocation, 10:30 a.m., 104 Doster
• Luncheon, noon, J.J. Doster Café (reservations required)
• Campus tours (reservations required)
• Dean’s Reception, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Doster Hall Alumni Room

Saturday: Coffee, 9-11 a.m., Doster Hall Alumni Room

Computer-Based Honors Program

Reception, 2 hours prior to kickoff, Maxwell Hall

University Honors Program

Cookout at New Hall, 2 hours prior to kickoff (call 205/348-5500)

Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration

Pre-game picnic on the Quad, 2-1/2 hours prior to kickoff, college tent (RSVP required 205/348-6689)

School of Social Work

Thursday: Cookout, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: Breakfast at Little Hall and tent activities on the Quad, 9 a.m. (RSVP to 205/348-3942)

The Alabama Museum of Natural History

Exhibit discussion, 3 hours prior to kickoff, Smith Hall

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

“Welcome to the Crimson Tide Family” tent on Quad, 3 hours prior to kickoff

Student Alumni Association

Children’s tent, 9 a.m. until kickoff

Capstone Men and Women

Reception for former members on Quad, 9:30 -11:30 a.m.

Alabama Alumni Association

Entertainment on the Alumni Quad stage, immediately after parade, Alumni Tent