Festivities for OU's homecoming celebration set for Feb. 4-7

This year’s homecoming celebration at Oakland University promises to be bigger and better than ever, with new events that expand festivities from two to four days beginning Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010.

“Come Home to OU” kicks off Thursday, Feb. 4, with the OU Homecoming Pep Rally in the Oakland Center Food Court from 11:30 to 1 p.m. The rally features appearances from coaches and players from the men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as the Images Dance Team, Cheerleading Team, OU Pep Band and other student performance organizations.

Later that night, the Hip Hop Dance Competition will show off the talents of creative dancers from the Oakland community. From 8-10 p.m. at the Oakland Center Food Court, teams will offer up their interpretations and expressions of urban dance as they compete for the title of “OU’s Dominant Squad.”

Friday ushers in a full day of festivities with the Winter Ice Skating Party and Bonfire at the Hamlin Basketball Court area from 6-10 p.m. Participants are invited to bundle up for a night of skating under the stars and warm up with hot cocoa and other treats. The Friday Night Live Comedy Show with Adam Ace follows from 9-11 p.m. in the Vandenberg Cafeteria. Ace pulls out all stops for a show including physical comedy, music, improvisation, props, stand-up comedy and audience interaction. Students and alumni alike can round out the evening by guarding the Grizz Statue located outside the Recreation and Athletic Center from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Snow Bowl, an intramural, flag football game featuring OU students, also is planned.

The Department of Athletics will present the George Wibby and Dr. Gary Russi Awards and induct this year’s Hollie L. Lepley Hall of Honor recipients at the OU Hall of Honor Ceremony from 6-9:30 p.m. Friday evening in the Banquet Rooms. Mario Impemba, Fox sports announcer for the Detroit Tigers, will act as Master of Ceremonies. Tickets are $60 each and include a reception and dinner. For more information, contact Gina DeMartis at demartis@oakland.edu.

Saturday will bring the main event as the OU men’s and women’s basketball teams host Oral Roberts University. The women’s game begins at 3:30 p.m., followed by the men’s game at 6 p.m. The first 100 fans at the women’s game receive free admission to both games and the first 600 attendees will receive OU giveaways. For ticket prices, visit www4.oakland.edu/comehome.

Other events that day are the OU Alumni Association Family Festival, tailgating with the Alumni Hospitality Tent, Fraternity and Sorority Alumni Event, Center for Multicultural Initiatives and Black Alumni Social. A Casino Night in the Oakland Center Banquet Rooms wraps up the night from 8-11 p.m., featuring non-monetary gambling for fun and to win big-ticket prizes at the end of the evening. In addition, there will be food, music and novelty acts all night long.

Sunday’s Golden Grizzlies Homecoming 5K Run/Walk begins and ends at the Athletics Center. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and the race begins at 9 a.m. Registration before January is $10 for OU students and $15 for the general public, and late registration is $15 for OU students and $20 for the general public. An awards ceremony will take place in the O’rena immediately following the race. For more information or to register, contact Paul Rice at rice@oakland.edu.

For more information about Oakland’s homecoming events, visit oakland.edu/comehome.