By Katie Land, news editor
The fall semester’s annual Week of Champions @ Oakland University kicks off with events and giveaways, culminating in the introduction of Oakland’s basketball teams on Friday, Oct. 16, with Midnite Madnezz.
Everything starts off Monday, Oct. 12, with Matilda Wilson’s 126th Birthday Bash featuring the Real Deal Crazy Game Show and free T-shirts, birthday cake and ice cream from noon to 1 p.m. at the Pioneer Food Court at the Oakland Center. Later that evening, comedienne and former high-risk drinker Wendi Fox presents “Trashed” at 7 p.m. at Meadow Brook Theatre in Wilson Hall.
Tuesday, Oct. 13, marks the fourth annual WOCOU Street Party, “Hooray for Grizzlywood.” The event offers free food, music, novelty entertainment, games and prizes from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the lower level of the Oakland Center. This is also the time to register for the Grizz Gang and Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin' Challenge from noon to 1 p.m. in the Pioneer Food Court.
The Blazin’ Challenge will have an elimination round with 10 randomly selected registered participants and takes place outside the food court entrance facing O’Dowd from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15. The top four winners move on to the championship round during Midnite Madnezz at 11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16.
The celebration continues Thursday with the “There’s no Grizzness like Show Business” Talent Show from 8-11 p.m. in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms.
Women’s soccer plays Centenary at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, at the Lower Soccer Fields and “Takin’ Care of yOUr Sweetie” is set for noon to 1 p.m. in the Pioneer Food Court. Later that evening, Midnite Madnezz rounds out the week. The event features a block party, pep rally, comedic performances, prizes and giveaways.
The festivities begin at 7 p.m. in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms with comedians Rob Stapleton and Hassan Minhaj.
Golden Grizzly fans can then meet at 8:30 p.m. in the P-16 parking lot across from the O’rena for free food with the Grizz and dance to a DJ’s beat at the Pep Rally.
The main attraction of the night comes when student athletes from all of Oakland’s teams gather for the introduction of the 2009-10 men's and women's basketball teams and the official opening of the 2009-10 NCAA season. This event will feature a number of exciting giveaways, performances by the OU Cheer and Dance Team, and a performance by Hooper and the Flight Crew.
“Events such as the Jamboree and Midnite Madnezz offer students the opportunity to show their spirit and support as well as provide a safe, fun-filled atmosphere where they can be with their friends and still show their school pride,” said Kate Boylan, coordinator of Athletics Marketing and Promotion.
Students who attend the Pep Rally will have an opportunity to win prizes such as a flat screen TV. One male and one female student each will win free tuition, and the first 1,000 students will receive a special OU giveaway.
A special addition this year is the Grizz Gang and Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin' Challenge following the Pep Rally. Watch four Grizz Gang members battle their way through the last round of the championship. The winner receives a $100 gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings and the runner up receives $50.
The winners of the Grizz Gang T-shirt contest and the Grizz Kidz Club coloring contest will be announced as well. The winning T-shirt design will be featured on the 2009 Grizz Gang student section shirts to be worn by all student members at home athletic contests. The coloring contest winner will receive four season tickets to men’s and women’s basketball games for the 2009-10 season.
For more information, view the
WOCOU event flyer or the
Midnite Madnezz event flyer.
