Arkansas Tech University will host “A Homecoming Celebration: 100 Years in the Making,” as the university welcomes alumni and friends to numerous events during Homecoming weekend on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17.
This year’s Homecoming is the first of two Centennial Homecomings at Arkansas Tech.
The festivities begin with the Homecoming Golf Classic at the Russellville Country Club on Friday, October 16. Lunch will be served beginning at 11 a.m. There is an official welcome at 11:45 a.m., and the shotgun start is at noon. The entry fee for the 3-person scramble tournament is $75 per person.
There will be a Ladies 'Champagne Bingo' Luncheon at noon at the Lake Point Conference Center. Ladies in attendance will receive discount coupons from area businesses. The cost to attend the luncheon is $15 per person.
Two receptions are taking place Friday evening. The Alumni and Friends Reception will run from 8 p.m.-midnight at the Russellville Country Club, and tickets are $10.
A new addition to the schedule this year is a Young Alumni and Friends Reception at the Front Street Grill in Dardanelle. The event runs from 8 p.m.-midnight, and there is a $5 cover charge.
Saturday’s festivities will begin with the Young Alumni Co-ed Softball Tournament at Pleasant View Park. This is the first year for the tournament, and participation is limited to eight teams. Those not playing are invited to attend to cheer on their favorite team. The tournament will run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday morning at 11 a.m. there will be an Alumni Volleyball Match featuring former Golden Suns volleyball alumnae. The match will be in Tucker Coliseum, and the rain location will be the Hull Building.
The Homecoming parade will make its return to Downtown Russellville this year. The parade will begin at 2 p.m.
Those wishing to participate in the Alumni Band will gather at 3 p.m. in the Witherspoon Band Room to practice several songs to perform during the game.
Tailgating will begin at 3 p.m. at the Plaza, and this year’s tailgate will feature numerous reunion groups. The following groups will meet during the tailgate: football, volleyball, boxing, cross country/track, Golden Girls, cheerleaders, Athena Troop, Homecoming royalty and the College of Business.
Additionally, each decade, starting with the 1930’s, will host its own reunion at the Plaza.
Homecoming will be held in conjunction with Party on the Plaza, which features live music, a vintage photo booth and inflatable games. As part of the party, there will be a pre-game tailgate meal, and the meal is $10 for adults and $8 for children eight and under.
Pre-game festivities at Thone Stadium at Buerkle Field are set to begin at 5:30 p.m., while kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
See who has registered to attend.
For more about Homecoming on the Arkansas Tech campus, visit the Alumni Office website.
