Katie Ward, Staff Writer

In what is said to be the biggest Homecoming celebration in Appalachian State University history, Homecoming ’97 promises to offer something for everyone, according to Director of Student Programs, David Robertson.

This year’s Homecoming is the result of a unified effort to make the event special for the university, Robertson said.

“This is by far the biggest variety of activities for students ever offered,” Robertson said.  “We want students to look forward to Homecoming as much as alumni (do).”

This year’s theme was chosen and developed by a committee of faculty and students in the hope of developing consistency from year to year.  An ASU student, Jennifer Thornton, created the logo that compliments the theme, said Robertson.

The celebration kicked off last night with a pep rally and bonfire on Duck Pond Field.  Cheerleaders, homecoming court representatives, members of the football team and the ASU Marching Band were all present during the spirit campaign.

Festivities will continue Thursday morning when 100 pumpkins are transformed into jack-o-lanterns on Sanford Mall.  The pumpkin-carving contest, sponsored by Appalachian Popular Programming Society (APPS), will begin at noon and is free to students.  A $50 first prize will be awarded to the winner, followed by two $25 consolation prizes.

The pumpkin fun does not end there, said Robertson.  The top five or six pumpkins will be photographed and sent to a national contest.

After the judging in early November, one lucky carver will return home $1500 richer.

Thursday night will close with David Spade appearing in Farthing Auditorium.  Spade is known for making audiences laugh through television’s “Saturday Night Live” and “Just Shoot Me,” as well as the movies “Tommy Boy” and “Black Sheep.” Tickets are still available and are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.  The laughter begins at 8 p.m.

Lineup for the annual Homecoming parade begins at 2:30 p.m. Friday.  Beginning from the stadium at 4 p.m., the parade will travel throughout Boone, Robertson said.

A competition and prize money have been incorporated into this year’s parade.  According to parade chair, Ehren Meister of the Student Government Association (SGA), this was a good incentive for organizations to participate.

Parade participants are divided into four categories, including student development organizations, Greek life and Resident Student Association (RSA).  Each category is judged individually, said Meister.
Groups competing in the float competition will be eligible to receive a $200 grand prize and a $100 second place award.  Walking groups will be eligible to receive one of three $100 prizes.

According to Meister, each float that “successfully finishes” the parade will receive a $50 honorable mention.  Walking groups who “successfully finish” will receive a $25 honorable mention.

Student development groups are not eligible to receive monetary prizes.  However, they will receive a plaque, said Meister.

“It is up to the individual groups’ discretion to determine whether the prize money is used for charity or their funds and expenses,” Meister said.

Friday will also bring a banner contest in the stadium and throughout the residence halls.

Participants should plan to have banners hung in their prospective areas by 10 a.m. so judging can begin as early as possible.  Winners in four group categories will receive a $100 grand prize or a $50 second place award.

Appalachian alumni are invited to attend the alumni awards banquet Friday evening at 6 p.m.    However, reservations are required, and admission is $17.

According to Assistant Alumni Director, Michael Coleman, the banquet will recognize distinguished alumni who have received local, state and national recognition.

Alumni Harald O. Heymann, Kenneth Hubbard and John L. Idol Jr. will be honored this year, said Coleman.

Heymann said alumni class reunion socials will follow from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Boone’s Hampton Inn.  Alumni are encouraged to come share refreshments and memories.  Door prizes will also be awarded.

To close Friday’s alumni events, D.J. Chad Sain will turn up the volume at the Homecoming kickoff dance.  This event will begin at 9 p.m. in the Broyhill Inn and is free to all alumni and friends.
Halloween will be supported by the first annual costume party in Legends. The event is cosponsored by WASU and APPS.

“Major” prizes will be awarded to the winner, as well as several $25 gift certificates to those students who exhibit the most creative costumes.

Admission is $2 for students, guests and alumni.

Saturday, game day between the Mountaineers and the Mockingbirds of Chattanooga, begins with a complimentary alumni breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. in the McKinney Alumni Center.  The breakfast is sponsored by the Dan’l Boone Inn.

Mountaineer spirit will mount as tailgaters line up at Duck Pond Field and the Justice Hall parking lot prior to the game.

The winning parade floats will also be displayed in the Justice lot.

Students and alumni are invited to drop by and enjoy food sold by local vendors.

The football match-up will begin at 1 p.m.  The halftime show features the crowning of the king and queen, as well as the announcement of the Homecoming competition points accumulated throughout the week.

Final nominees for Homecoming Queen are Kerrie Fitzgerald, Aszur Hill, Jennifer Mitchell, Maria Poindexter and Heather Prince.
Nominees for king are Parker Henderson, Brad Huffstetler, Vaki Karampournoitis, Cordy Lash and Jason Yepko.

“With 112 nominees, we had an excellent turnout on the court,” said elections chair Dwayne Elliott.

However, according to Elliott, only 991 students voted in the election.  Of these, 620 were on-campus and 371 were off-campus students.

Following the game, a D.J. will be on-hand  at Duck Pond Field to entertain members of the Appalachian family in a postgame celebration.

“Everyone is invited to hang around and continue the party,” Robertson said.

The week of festivities will close with a wide array of activities for students and alumni alike to choose from.

The alumni victory dance, featuring The Fantastic Shakers, begins at 8:30 p.m. at the Broyhill Inn.  Admission is $15 per person and includes heavy hors d’oeuvres.

Jackopierce, a popular band among Appalachian students, will perform their farewell concert at Legends, Saturday at 9 p.m.
Tickets are $7 for students, in advance, and $9 at the door.

According to Robertson, the band is breaking up; therefore all students and alumni are encouraged to attend.

The Council for Cultural Awareness and the National Panhellenic Council are cosponsoring a step show and a D.J. in the Cascades Atrium of the student union, beginning at 9 p.m.
Admission is $3 for students and $5 for alumni.

Entry from the new side of the union is reserved for the step show.

APPS and the Appalachian Heritage Council will cosponsor a free jazz show in Tradewinds, Saturday.

Jazz musician, John Price will entertain, beginning at 8 p.m.

Those interested in attending should plan to enter the Student Union on the bookstore side if they wish to enter for free, said Robertson.
 

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