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News Release

Last modified: Monday, October 13, 2008

'Hoosier Field of Dreams' at IU Homecoming on Oct. 17-25

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 13, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- A "Hoosier Field of Dreams" is the theme of Indiana University's 2008 Homecoming in Bloomington. IU alumni, students and friends are invited to a host of activities, Oct. 17-25, including the 50th IU Homecoming parade, a Hoosier hysteria event to introduce the men's and women's basketball teams to fans, a traditional gridiron battle in Memorial Stadium, this year featuring the Hoosiers against Northwestern's Wildcats, and a concert with Straight No Chaser.

"This year's Homecoming theme -- Hoosier Field of Dreams -- pays tribute to the new north end zone addition under construction at IU's Memorial Stadium and the excitement, energy and promise it brings to the future of Indiana University football," said Mark Skirvin, senior director of outreach programs at the IU Alumni Association.

Hoosiers Howl at the Moon Midnight Madness Bash kicks off Homecoming events Oct. 17 (Friday) at 7 p.m., at the new Hoosier Village behind the DeVault Alumni Center at 1000 E. 17th St.. Being held for the first time, this free event sponsored by the Student Alumni Association is open to the public and promises to fire up fans for Hoosier men's and women's hoops. Hoosier Hysteria, the first practice for the men's and women's basketball teams, follows immediately across the street in Assembly Hall. Admission for Hoosier Hysteria is three canned goods or a cash donation.

Starting at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24 (Friday), the 50th annual Homecoming parade will take to the streets. David Neville, former Hoosier sprinter and winner of a gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay and a bronze medal in the 400-meter event at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, is scheduled to be the grand marshal. The parade will travel west down Third Street then north on Indiana Avenue to the Sample Gates.

Stay at the Sample Gates after the parade for a pep rally to cheer on the Hoosiers for Homecoming victory over the Northwestern Wildcats. The pep rally, a Student Athletic Board event, will feature IU head football coach Bill Lynch, football players, cheerleaders, the Marching Hundred and fireworks.

Before the IU versus Northwestern football game in Memorial Stadium, scheduled for a noon kickoff on Oct. 25 (Saturday), gather in front of Assembly Hall at 10 a.m. to support Lynch and the Hoosiers as they arrive for "The Walk" and a victory over the Wildcats. You can still purchase game tickets through the IU Athletics Ticket Office at 1-866-IUSPORTS.

You'll have plenty of time before the game to head to the IU Alumni Association's new Hoosier Village behind the DeVault Alumni Center for the 21st annual Homecoming Luncheon, which also begins at 10 a.m. Formerly held at the Mellencamp Pavilion, the luncheon costs $15 for IU Alumni Association members, $20 for nonmembers, and $7.50 for children under the age of 12. Online reservations for the luncheon at https://alumni.indiana.edu/reserve/index.php?r=110 will be accepted up to the time of the event. The Homecoming Luncheon is sponsored by the IU Foundation, Varsity Club, Hoosiers for Higher Education and the IUAA.

During pre-game and halftime ceremonies, the 2008 Homecoming king and queen will be introduced and trophies will be presented to the student teams that place first and second in various Homecoming competitions. The Marching Hundred alumni band and alumnae RedSteppers will perform, and 50-year I-Men will be honored.

Homecoming wraps up with the Homecoming Concert, featuring 10 original members of Straight No Chaser, the men's a cappella group and sponsored by the IU Alumni Association. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 25 (Saturday), at the IU Auditorium. The concert comes three days before the release of the group's debut album with Atlantic Records, Holiday Spirits. Tickets for the concert, including an advance copy of Holiday Spirits, are $22.50. Tickets for the concert only are $16.50. Order tickets by calling 812-855-1103 or online at https://www.iuauditorium.com. The concert is sponsored by the IU Alumni Association and the IU Foundation. Learn more about the original Straight No Chaser at https://www.sncmusic.com/.

Other events:

Northwestern may be IU's Homecoming opponent, but the Homecoming Blood Drive offers a chance to tackle Purdue. From noon to 7 p.m. on Oct. 20 (Monday) the Homecoming Blood Drive, sponsored by the Student Alumni Association and the Monroe County Chapter of the IUAA, will take place at the DeVault Alumni Center. The event is part of the 12th annual IU versus Purdue Blood Donor Challenge, which runs Oct. 6 to Nov. 14. Donating blood at the Homecoming Blood Drive can help the Hoosiers beat the Boilermakers for the fourth consecutive year in the blood donor challenge. More information and additional blood donor locations can be found at https://alumni.indiana.edu/events/challenge/.

Also on Oct. 20 the Homecoming Nearly Naked Mile Run debuts at 10 p.m. at Dunn Meadow with students and alumni shedding (some of) their clothes for a good cause. Participants in this charity event must donate at least one article of clothing to run. All donated clothing will be distributed through the United Way to local non-profit agencies. Sponsors of the run include the Indiana Running Company, Bloomington Bagel Company, and radio station B97.

After IU Spirit Day on Oct. 21 (wear your red all day on Tuesday), and the Homecoming cornhole tournament and bonfire on Oct. 22 (Wednesday afternoon and evening in Dunn Meadow), comes Yell Like Hell at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 (Thursday), at Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union. This student-spirit competition is free and open to the public. For more information on Yell Like Hell, contact the Student Alumni Association at 812-855-9263.

For a complete schedule of Homecoming events, visit https://alumni.indiana.edu/events/homecoming/home2008.shtml.

The IU Alumni Association is dedicated to serving the university and its diverse alumni, students, and friends. As one of the nation's largest alumni organizations, serving approximately 515,000 graduates worldwide, the IUAA provides many programs and services to its members, nonmember alumni, and the university. For information, visit https://www.alumni.indiana.edu/ or call 800-824-3044.

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