Grizzly faithful invited to Come Home to OU

By Dave Groves, news editor

Plans are shaping up to make Oakland University’s first-ever homecoming celebration an exhilarating, pride-filled and truly memorable experience. In fact, event organizers are hoping that Come Home to OU, set for Feb. 6-7, sets a high standard for what will undoubtedly become a treasured Grizzly tradition.

“We wanted to have an annual homecoming event at the university, and we’re really getting a lot of support and enthusiasm for it.” said OU Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Glenn McIntosh, who chairs the Come Home to OU planning committee.

“This is a chance for the university community, including those who have moved on in their education and careers, to come back and see how the campus has changed and grown,” he added. “It’s just a really exciting time to be a part of the university, and we’ll be looking to showcase that during this weekend.”

The latest addition to an already long list of exciting homecoming activities is the Winter Ice Skating Party, set to take place from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. Participants in this free event can glide along to music on an outdoor skating rink in the P16 parking lot. Warm winter treats and hot cocoa will be on hand to enhance the festive occasion.

Those who’ve come to love the carnival-like atmosphere of the Oakland University Alumni Association’s Family Festival will be able to revel in it once again, but now as part of homecoming. The event, which will take place in the OU Recreation Center from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, will feature special attractions and entertainment for fun-seekers of all ages.

The OU faithful will help get Come Home to OU under way with a pep rally in Oakland Center at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6. Following that will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Center for Student Activities' recent renovations at 1 p.m.

Other homecoming attractions include a roast honoring the more than 25-year careers of OU's swimming and diving coach Pete Hovland, men's basketball coach Greg Kampe and men's soccer coach Gary Parsons; an OU Tailgate Party; and a Casino Night featuring big-ticket prizes.

Of course, the highlights of this historic weekend will be the women’s and men’s basketball games, during which the Golden Grizzlies will host Centenary College in the O’rena. Both games will feature a salute to alumni athletes, and the first 200 fans to arrive for the women’s game will be admitted to both games free of charge.

For a complete list of homecoming activities and further information about specific events, visit the Come Home to OU Web site.