The Ohio University Alumni Association expects thousands to invade Athens and travel through time as it kicks off both Homecoming and its 150th birthday celebration.
Among those excited for the weekend-long celebration is Cristie Gryska, OU's director of reunions, special programs and alumni education.
This certainly is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate this anniversary for our association
Gryska said. Since the (Homecoming) theme plays into our anniversary we want to make the connection and get the visibility out there.
And there will certainly be enough celebration to go around.
Homecoming festivities begin Saturday morning with the annual Homecoming Parade down Court Street.
The alumni association is sponsoring a free coffee hour from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Front Room Coffeehouse in Baker University Center where visitors can sip on a cup of coffee free of charge.
Following the parade, the highly anticipated Battle of the Bricks football game gets underway as the Bobcats square off against the rival Miami RedHawks at Peden Stadium.
The football game is always a staple of homecoming and this year will be even better with Miami as the opponent
Gryska said.
The RedHawks will not be the only visitors to Athens this weekend, Gryska said, adding that she expects a large turnout of OU Alumni to join the festivities.
We expect thousands of former Bobcats to come back from all over the country spanning from the East Coast to the West Coast.Everyone wants to come back for Homecoming and we love it
Gryska said.
One alumnus, 2009-graduate Brenden Sawdey, is making the trip to Athens from California, and could not be more excited.
Homecoming was always so much fun as a student
I can't wait to come back and experience it as a graduate
he said. Being back at OU will be a welcome distraction from the real world.
Although Homecoming is primarily a weekend for alumni, graduates are not the only ones eager for the celebration to get underway. OU senior Kristin Soles is also anticipating a great weekend.
I'm so excited to spend time with friends and go to the football game
but I am the most excited for the parade. Everyone loves a good parade. Soles said.
Although Homecoming is rich with tradition, nothing is immune to the change. This year, OU will be using social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to communicate with students and alumni throughout the weekend.
We really want this to bring Homecoming alive. Utilizing social media brings a piece of Athens not only to people on campus
but off campus as well
Gryska said. As soon as the date is released
people are excited. We have one of the most unique Homecomings in the MAC.
