The University will kick off its 100th Homecoming celebration today.
Chancellor Michael Martin and the student Homecoming committee will unveil the week’s events in the Union Cotillion Ballroom at noon. The unveiling was moved to the LSU Student Union because of the bad weather.
According to a University news release, the first known Homecoming celebration at the University happened in 1909, but didn’t feature a football game. That wasn’t until 1922, when the Tigers defeated Tulane 24-14.
The University’s first official Homecoming happened three years later, and it featured a concert, pep rally and a special alumni section at the football game against Alabama.
This year’s Homecoming highlight is CANapalooza, a three day event starting tomorrow. According to the release, organizations will build creative canned food structures on the Parade Ground from Tuesday through Thursday from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
After a display the next day, the cans will be donated to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Anyone can donate non-perishable food items during Homecoming week in the red barrels around campus.
The 2009 Homecoming Schedule:
Mon., Nov. 9 Homecoming Kickoff Noon
Join Chancellor Michael Martin and the homecoming committee as they unveil the week’s events and lead the crowd in the singing of the alma mater in the Student Union Cotillion Ballroom. Participants can enjoy refreshments and get promotional items and T-shirts while they last.Mon., Nov. 9 – Sat., Nov. 14 Sign the Spirit Wall10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Students have the chance to sign their names and year of graduation to the Spirit Wall in Free Speech Plaza.Mon., Nov. 9 – Thurs., Nov. 12 UREC Games
UREC will be holding several compeitions throughout the week, including the Gridiron Challenge; a Punt, Pass & Kick competition; a dodgeball tournament and a sand volleyball tournament. Visit www.lsu.edu/urec for details.Tues, Nov. 10 Purple Day
Students are encouraged to wear purple on Tuesday.Tues., Nov. 10 – Thurs., Nov. 12 Vote for Homecoming King and Queen via PAWS
LSU students can vote for the 2009 Homecoming King and Queen via their PAWS accounts from Tuesday at 8 a.m. through Thursday at 3 p.m.Tues., Nov. 10 – Thurs., Nov. 12 CANapalooza Canned Food Structure Building Contest6 p.m. – 9 p.m. CANapalooza is a 3-day experience during Homecoming to support the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. Pre-registration was required to compete in the canned food structure building contest, but canned food or monetary donations will be accepted without registration. Donations can be dropped off at the Parade Ground. After display of the canned food structures the next day, the cans will be donated to the Food Bank. Anyone can donate non-perishable food items throughout Homecoming week in the red barrels around campus.Tues, Nov. 10 Splatterbeat6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Splatterbeat is a big party with free food, good music and free T-shirts to the first 500 people. Trash cans will be placed upside down on the Parade Ground with their lids secured on top. Purple, gold, white and glow in the dark paint will be placed in the lids. Wed, Nov. 11Red, White and Blue Veteran’s DayNoon
Homecoming will salute LSU’s veterans at the Memorial Tower. Students are encouraged to come see a performance by LSU ROTC’s Pershing Rifles Delta 17 team and enjoy refreshments while listening to some of LSU’s military veterans.Wed, Nov. 11 Streamline Concert6 p.m. – 9 p.m. The rock band Streamline will perform during the second night of CANapalooza on the Parade Ground. Thursday, Nov. 13 Homecoming Pep Rally – Gold Day6:50 p.m. – 9 p.m. The Homecoming pep rally on the Parade Ground will feature the LSU pep band and Golden Girls, head baseball coach Paul Mainieri, the LSU cheerleaders and Tiger Girls, throws and giveaways, video from the LSU Athletics Department, the Homecoming Court, Mike the Tiger and more.Saturday, Nov. 15 – 11:30 a.m. LSU Homecoming Parade
The parade will feature this year’s Homecoming Court, bands, floats and Grand Marshall Paul Mainieri, head baseball coach, in the LSU Homecoming Parade. The parade starts on West Lakeshore Drive near University High School and winds its way for 3.5 miles through campus past Sorority Row, down South Stadium Drive, Tower Drive, North Stadium Drive and South Campus Drive to make one large circle through campus.Saturday, Nov. 14 – 6 p.m. LSU vs. Louisiana Tech