Homecoming brings sports and celebration to the hill

Last night's pep rally in Dewick-MacPhie Dining Hall marked the kickoff of Tufts' annual Homecoming Weekend, which will continue today with the a cappella concert and conclude with Saturday's football game against Bates.

The Spirit Coalition hosted the Jumbo pep rally, which was emceed by sophomores Liz Sutton and Alexis Smith. Smith is also co-chairperson of the Homecoming Programming Board. The rally featured a performance by the Tufts cheerleaders, as well as the appearance and introduction of most of the athletic teams. This year's Grand Marshall, Alan McDougal, who is the President of the Alumni Association, also spoke. Various student organizations were present, offering giveaways and their support of the Tufts teams.

Festivities will continue today with the elections for Homecoming Court. Elections will take place between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tonight, the Jumbo Club Distinguished Achievement Awards will be held, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a Pre-Awards Cocktail Reception in Alumnae Hall.

The Jumbo Club hosts this annual event to honor distinguished students as well as other accomplished athletes and leaders. This year, the Athletic Department and Jumbo Club will honor Lisa Stern Lax (A'86), Senior Producer of NBC Sports in New York.

An a cappella show will also be held tonight at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. in Cabot Auditorium featuring the Beelzebubs, Jackson Jills, and Amalgamates. This is intended to boost Jumbo spirit while showcasing the award-winning harmonies of the a cappella groups.

The final homecoming event scheduled for tonight is the Class of 2002 Welcome Back Party, which takes place tonight in Dewick MacPhie dining complex from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and is hosted by the Tufts University Alumni Association.

Tomorrow's homecoming events begin early. First, at 9 a.m., the TUAA has a tent behind the Aidekman Arts Center where early birds may stop by to receive complimentary donuts and coffee.

At 11 a.m., Tailgaters Village opens at the gate entrance of J-field near Powderhouse Square.

Then finally, at 12:30 p.m., the homecoming parade commences and takes its course. First the parade circles the academic quad, and then makes its way down to the football field. Meanwhile, those partaking in the parade wave banners and signs, and many of them have their faces painted with Tufts colors.

"The point of the parade is to kind of wake everyone up and get them all excited about the game," Smith said.

The kickoff of the football game, which is being played against Bates College, is at 1 p.m.. At halftime, the parade marches out onto the field, at which time the Homecoming Court is announced. The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned by the Grand Marshall.

This year's Homecoming events are made possible by the collaboration of various groups, including the Tufts University Spirit Coalition (TUSC) and the Tufts University Alumni Association (TUAA).

Students' expectations of this year's Homecoming are high. Suzanne Davis, a sophomore transfer student, is looking forward to this weekend's festivities. "We didn't have a Homecoming at Vassar," Davis said. "I heard that everyone here gets really spirited, though. I'm prepared to paint my face blue if I have to.