Homecoming Week kicks off Monday

Staff Report

Homecoming Week kicks off Monday with several events scheduled during the course of the week, all leading up to this year’s Homecoming Parade and football game.

The theme this year is called, “This is Who We Are.”

The week’s events start Monday with the “HoCo Fest” Rush Hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Library Quad. There will also be a “PAWS for the Cause” tabling event 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Library Quad.

The “PAWS for the Cause” tabling event will take place at different locations all throughout Homecoming Week.

According to the EIU Homecoming 2018 website, “PAWS for the Cause” is a campus and community relief effort that raises money for local charities.

Anyone can donate $1 to $5 and will receive a “Panther PAW” donation decal in return. 

All day Monday there will be “Golf Cart Trivia,” where someone in a golf cart drives all over campus asking students trivia questions.

On Tuesday “PAWS for the Cause” will be at the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union all day and Natalia Rivera, the University Board Campus and Community Chair for this year’s Homecoming, said in an email that the tabling event will also be at the Doudna Fine Arts Center Overhang from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Wednesday the faculty and staff can participate in “Blue-B-Que,” which is an appreciation luncheon. It will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in McAfee Gym North.

Students can participate in a “Glow Bowling Mixer” from 7 to 9 p.m. at EIU Lanes (located in the basement of the Union).

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday there will be a “Where’s Billy” scavenger hunt all over campus as well as trivia all day in the dining halls.

Instead of the “Yell Like Hell” pep rally as per tradition, the UB will be hosting a regular pep rally featuring the coronation of this year’s Homecoming Court from 7 to 9 p.m. in McAfee Gym South.

There is no name for this pep rally, it is just called the Homecoming Pep Rally and Coronation event, according to the official EIU Homecoming 2018 website.

Then at 9:30 a.m. Saturday the Homecoming Parade will start on 6th Street, and following that from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will be the Homecoming Tailgate at the O’Brien Stadium Parking Lot and the kick-off for the Homecoming Game will be at 2 p.m. at O’Brien Field.

The Panthers will face Tennessee-Martin.

Other events that will happen over the course of the week, according to the Homecoming 2018 website, include:

A “Spirit Show Down” which will take place between registered student organizations, fraternities, sororities, student athletes, residence halls and offices and departments on campus. Each of these areas will compete in different decorating and spirit contests such as creating spirit banners or lawn decks, to win the Homecoming “Spirit Cup.”

Paint the Town and Campus Blue, which will be a week-long campaign held on campus and in the Charleston community as a way to support homecoming. The week will feature spirited displays, decorations and discounts throughout the campus and local community and is sponsored in conjunction with the City of Charleston Tourism.

Class of 1968 50th Reunion, which will be from Friday to Saturday, and the 2018 Alumni Awards Dinner on Saturday starting at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception.

The Rotary Pancake Breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Dirty’s Bar and Grill parking lot. Proceeds from the event will go to local charities.

The 19th Annual Homecoming 2.5K Race starting at 9 a.m. Saturday starting at Old Main. The cost is $10 per person before the race or $20 the day of the race and $5 for a t-shirt. Proceeds go to the EIU Rec Club.

Other locations for PAWS for the Cause include:

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday during the Blue-B-Que at McAfee Gym North

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday outside of the Physical Science Building

1 to 3 p.m. Friday outside of Coleman Hall

The News staff can be reached at 581-2812 or  [email protected].