Hundreds of community members, alumni, friends, students and prospective students will gather the weekend of Oct. 2-3 to celebrate Urbana University’s Homecoming: “Return of the Knights.” This theme aptly describes the pilgrimage that is expected to occur as travelers from across the region join together to relive memories and make new ones.
Beginning Friday, Oct. 2, at 10 a.m. the Blue Knight Golf Outing, hosted by the Athletics Department at the Woodland Golf Club, will initiate the activities. For $75 each golfer will enjoy friendly competition, lunch, the beautiful course and prizes. In Urbana University’s Warren G. Grimes Center the Alumni Volleyball match will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the varsity Women’s Volleyball match against Fairmont State at 7 p.m., which will close the day.
The festivities continue on Saturday, Oct. 3, with tailgating beginning as early as 9 a.m., inflatables for children, reunions with friends, an Alumni Softball game, campus tours for prospective students, and extended public hours to showcase the many new campus enhancements and building improvements. New this year will be an Alumni Art Show 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Miller Center for Visual Arts in Browne Hall and, in addition to individual tailgates, gatherings for many interest groups, including UU Lacrosse, Basketball, Softball, Football, Golf, International Studies, Colleges of Education, Applied & Professional Studies and Arts & Sciences, Honors, Choir & Band. The UU Spirit Tent will showcase historical displays, tasty tailgate snacks for guests, gifts for alumni and activities for all. University supporters such as the Ohio Army National Guard will have items or activities for guests.
President George Lucas, welcomed to the helm of Urbana University this past July, will be in attendance. “I truly look forward to enthusiastically supporting our Blue Knights along with our students, alumni, faculty and friends,” Lucas said. “The pride and enthusiasm I have witnessed on this campus are what make our institution so special. Homecoming is a time for the Urbana family to not only reminisce about our rich heritage, but also celebrate the many great things that are yet to come for Urbana University. As Urbana’s new president, I am very honored to be a part of this exciting event.”
To rally excitement for the Blue Knight Football team to take the field against Fairmont State at noon, tailgaters will form a spectator tunnel at 11 a.m. near the Grimes Center to cheer the Spirit Walk Parade across campus. Following the game, retired UU athletic director Bob Cawley will host his traditional dinner for his former baseball and basketball players. Women’s Volleyball will again take the court at 4 p.m. versus Shepherd University.
For more information, contact 937-772-9215 or [email protected]. Tickets for NCAA II sporting events can be purchased at the gates. The complete schedule and contact information for the events listed above are available at www.urbana.edu/homecoming.
