Homecoming lifts McMaster’s spirits

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/homecoming_pic21.jpg”]Homecoming is not just for alumni. McMaster's Alumni Association (MAA) hopes to lift the spirits of current students, faculty and staff during its first ever “Kick off to Homecoming” beginning today (Wednesday).

Three days of free activities have been planned in the McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC), including games and giveaways and a free pancake breakfast on Friday from 9-11 a.m. in the alumni foyer of MUSC, sponsored by Bank of Montreal McMaster Mosaik
Mastercard. McMaster President Peter George will help serve pancakes from 9-9:30 a.m. and Roger Trull, vice-president, University Advancement, will serve pancakes from 9:30-10 a.m. On Friday evening the McMaster Students Union will present the Salads in concert at Quarters Restaurant and Nightclub.

“We're looking forward to a great Homecoming this year,” says Rod Morrison, director, Alumni Advancement. “This is a tremendous opportunity for all of us - students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends in the community — to celebrate our pride in McMaster and, of course, to enjoy watching our student athletes in action.”

McMaster's 67th annual Homecoming Weekend will kick off with the Homecoming Alumni Pre-game Tailgate Party from 11:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Centre Donaldson Marketplace. The cost is $15 per person and includes a football ticket, food and entrance to the hospitality tent at Les Prince Field. Pre-registration at www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni is required. The pre-game party is sponsored by Meloche Monnex.

The Homecoming football game will be a battle between the Marauders and Guelph Gryphons at Les Prince Field at 2 p.m.

McMaster has partnered with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to distribute
Tickets through Sports Obsession Locations (Lime Ridge Mall, Burlington, Niagara) and Hamilton Tiger-Cat Box Office and Roarrr Stores (Jackson Square and Centre Mall). Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster by phone 905-527-7666 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca and all Ticketmaster locations. McMaster has sold out the past three Homecoming games.

Winners of the Residence Banner Contest, sponsored by the McMaster Alumni Association, will be announced at half-time. Contest participants include every residence, the Maroon Spirit Leaders and the Society of Off Campus Students (SOCS).

As well, McMaster University Choir alumni and current members will sing the national anthem at the game. More than 75 past and current choir members are expected.

The local band “Set in Stone”, comprised of former Maurauder football players Nic Armstrong, Greg Restivo and Steve Green will play at the Homecoming pre-game and half-time shows. The band just released their first full-length, self-titled, debut album “Set in Stone”. Armstrong and Restivo currently work for McMaster's Alumni Advancement.

Following the game, the Mark Timpany Trophy will be awarded to the MVP of the game. The Mark Timpany Memorial Trophy is sponsored by the McMaster Alumni Association and is awarded to the Marauder's most valuable player of the Homecoming football game.

Timpany attended McMaster from 1964 to 1967 and graduated in
the Faculty of Science in 1967. He played varsity football for three years as quarterback and one as defensive half back and was a member of the 1967 team that went to the Vanier Cup. He was an inspirational leader and team player who went on to teach at Rideau District High School in Elgin, Ontario before his untimely death in March of 1991.

Other homecoming Marauder games include men's rugby vs. Windsor on the 10-acre field on Saturday at 3 p.m. On Sunday, it will be women's rugby vs. Laurier and men's lacrosse vs Laurier. Both games will take place on the 10-acre field at 1 p.m. McMaster rugby and lacrosse games are open to the public at no charge.

Athletic alumni events include a women's volleyball alumni match at Burridge Gym at 10:30 a.m. and the men's lacrosse alumni game at the intramural field at 1 p.m. Football team reunions will be held for members of the '54, '64, '74, '84 and '94 teams. Teams will be recognized at the football game.

Other events include an Athletic Hall of Fame Champagne Brunch, the 2004 President's Club Reception, Engineering and Society Alumni Dinner, the fifth annual Chemistry Alumni Symposium, class reunions and children's programming.

The McMaster Athletics and Recreation Hall of Fame Brunch will be held on Sunday at 11 a.m. This year's inductees are: Irene (Tomoko) Brusch '58; Bob MacDonald '89; Heather Cowan '68; Jack McMaster '79; Jean (McAuley) Currie '56; Hans Schols '78; Cindy (Scott) Morrison '87; and Jack Vanderpol '94.

McMaster will launch a library poster campaign featuring McMaster Athletics interacting with the Library. The campaign goal is to increase awareness of the library and its resources. The 2003 poster campaign was named the Best Print Ad or Ad Campaign at the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education. This year's campaign features waterpolo, gymnastics, cycling, women's rugby, rowing, women's golf, women's soccer and men's squash.

Free parking will be available during Homecoming Weekend, courtesy of Laidlaw Services.

For more information about Homecoming visit http://www.mcmaster.ca/ua/alumni/events/homecoming.cfm