Homecoming week promotes spirit at 'U'

Homecoming has begun. But what does that mean?

This week is full of events intended to involve students and encourage them to display University spirit.

Homecoming is designed to bring alumni back to join generations of University students in celebrating the University.

"Homecoming is a challenge at (the University) because alumni come home every football game," said Ken Blochowski, manager of Student and Young Alumni Programs at the Alumni Association.

There are about five or six alumni reunions at every home football game, Blochowski said.

This year, the Homecoming Committee is trying to consolidate efforts on a few activities to increase attendance.

Rather than having many activities with few people attending each, the committee hopes to have one big event - the pep rally - and attract many people to attend, Blochowski said.

The rally is scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Cliff Keen Arena on Hoover Street.

Michigan Football Coach Lloyd Carr and the football team captains are expected to attend, along with the Michigan Marching Band and cheerleaders. After the rally, alumni and fans will have the chance to attend a "Meet the Athletes" session, where representatives from almost all of the University's athletic teams will be accessible, Blochowski said.

"This year we've decided to put our efforts into turnout for the pep rally," Blochowski said. "If we can start a tradition there, we can build on that."

The Alumni Association also is sponsoring the Go Blue Brunch Saturday morning on Oosterbaan field. The brunch will be all-you-can-eat and will feature the presentation of Spirit of Michigan Awards to the 1997 Michigan hockey and football teams.

Many campus groups are joining the Alumni Association in planning Homecoming events. For example, the Compulsive Lyres will perform a concert with the A Cappella Ensemble of the University's Greek System and "Delusions of Grandure" from Indiana University on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Mendelssohn Theater in the Michigan League.

Many schools within the University plan to host dinners and events connected with Homecoming and welcoming alumni. Homecoming seems to focus around alumni and not generate enthusiasm from undergraduates, said Roger Fisher, associate director of campus activities and programs at the Student Activities and Leadership office.

"One of the most disappointing things about Homecoming is undergraduate participation," Fisher said.

"Diag Day and the pep rally (are efforts) trying to make (Homecoming) a student-centered activity while holding onto alumni ties," Fisher said.

Diag Day is scheduled for Thursday. Games, a moon bounce, a giant gyroscope and many other carnival-like attractions will take over the Diag, Fisher said. Capping the Homecoming activities is the addition of Black Homecoming Week.

Black Folx, an umbrella organization for smaller black student groups, will sponsor Black Homecoming Week, which promotes spirit through events, fundraising and community service.

Sister 2 Sister, a community organization in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area, is sponsoring Date Night - a date auction - on Thursday in the West Quad Wedge Room at 7 p.m.

The money will finance a scholarship fund for young black women in the community. Black Homecoming Week wraps up Saturday night with a party in Bursley Residence Hall at 10 p.m.

"We expect Date Night to be big (as well as) the party at Bursley Saturday Night, " LSA junior Joy Greenwood said. "The events, they really focus on social cohesiveness."

10-20-98