Plan to experience a week of excitement as Southern Arkansas University celebrates “101 Years of Homecoming” Monday through Saturday, Sept. 26-Oct. 1.
The homecoming week schedule is full of SAU traditions along with items debuting this year. One new feature is the ability to order SAU Homecoming T-shirts online at www.saualumni.com, or by calling the President’s Ambassadors, (870) 235-5217. The black T-shirts feature a large polka dotted “101,” inspired by 101 Dalmatians, with the silhouette of a mule head.
The week’s fun begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, at the Greek Theatre with the announcement of the Homecoming Court, a pep rally and the first clue for the Mule Shoe Hunt. On Thursday, Sept. 29, the Great SAU Campout/Bonfire and Pep Rally will be held at 9 p.m. at the Alumni Center (formerly the Welcome Center). Other activities include the Spirit Logs and street painting at 11 p.m.
The annual Alumni Golf Tournament will begin the day on Friday, Sept. 30, with tee off at 9 a.m. and lunch and awards at noon, at the Magnolia Country Club. For more information and to sign up for the golf tournament, visit www.saualumni.com/events. Later, the Hall of Fame dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Reynolds Center, Grand Hall, and the Black Alumni Reception will be held at 8 p.m. at the International Global Center. For more information on the reception, call Cledis Stuart, (870) 235-4046.
Entertainment and activities on Saturday, Sept. 26 include Mulegating on the Ridge at the Alumni Center and the Third Annual Great SAU Cook-off, with registration from 9-11 a.m. A $250 prize will be awarded to first place in the cook-off, and the winner will be announced at the pep rally before the Fight Song.
Whether it has been decades, years, or even months since your last visit to campus, many updates have happened since you were here last. Guided campus tours from 9 a.m. till noon will offer a look at new residence halls, the Mulerider Activity Center, the new Athletic Training Facility, the Engineering Building and Agriculture Center. The tour bus will be available at the Alumni Center.
A Hamburger Lunch will be served, while supplies last, starting at 11 a.m. in the Alumni Tent, and a special spot has been saved for the Class of 1966. Call the Office of Alumni Relations to register, (870)-235-4079.
A Pep Rally will be at 1 p.m. at Mulegating followed by the presentation of the Homecoming Court and the King and Queen at 2 p.m. at Wilkins Stadium. Thirty minutes after Mulerider football – SAU plays Southern Nazarene University at 2:30 p.m. – the Mulerider Softball Ring Ceremony will take place at Walker Stadium.
Anyone interested in obtaining a temporary day pass to the Mulerider Activity Center may contact the Alumni Office, (870) 235-4079.
