10/9/97
ATHENS, Ohio -- The 1997 Ohio University Homecoming celebration will reflect on the strong ties between the university and community as Athens celebrates its bicentennial this year.
The weekend of activities, titled "Athens 200 Years: A Look Back," runs from Oct. 17-19 on the Athens campus.
For the fourth year in a row, Homecoming will be kicked off Friday night with a fireworks display at about 10:30 p.m. The fireworks can best be viewed from the Ping Center parking lot area, said Dexter Bailey, assistant director of the Office of Alumni Relations.
Earlier in the day, Ohio University President Robert Glidden will deliver his annual State of the University address, titled "A Sharper Focus," at 4 p.m. in 194 Irvine Auditorium. The hour-long address will be broadcast live on WOUB-AM and made available to the five regional campuses via the campus' new compressed video system.
At the Alumni Association's annual awards banquet and reception on Friday night in Nelson Commons, seven distinguished individuals will be honored for their contributions to Ohio University. They include 1997 Alumnus of the Year John M. Jones; Honorary Alumni Award winners Francine Childs and William Y. Smith; and Medal of Merit Award winners Carolyn Hlad Balogh, Raymon B. Fogg Sr., Richard Budd Werner and Thomas E. Wheeler.
Saturday's activities will begin at 10 a.m. with the Homecoming parade, which starts at the corner of Morris and East State streets, travels past the review stand at Baker Center, and ends near the Visitors Center at Richland Avenue and Shafer Street. The Visitors Center will sponsor an open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in honor of its 10th anniversary.
This year's Homecoming parade marshals are Jones, a 1949 Ohio University graduate, and his wife, Verda, who chairs the Athens Bicentennial Committee.
Following the parade, the fun and entertainment continue at the Big Top Extravaganza along the riverfront, which runs from 11 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Besides an array of activities for alumni, families and students, several academic colleges will have tables set up with information and displays. The Big Top also will feature live performances by the Marching 110, Alumni Band, cheerleaders, clowns and jugglers, and a food court featuring local vendors.
The Marching 110 will lead the crowd from the Big Top area to Peden Stadium for the start of the Ohio-Bowling Green football contest. Game time is at 2 p.m.
The Bobcats, off to their best start since 1976 with a 5-1 overall record, hope to beat the Falcons at Homecoming for the second consecutive year.
After the football game, Homecoming revelers can enjoy the annual Saturday night concert, which will feature a two-part performance by legendary blues guitarists Leon Redbone and John Hammond. Hammond, hailed as a "blues troubadour," will take the stage first. Then Redbone, best known for his old-time blues tunes, ragtime and country songs, will play.
Sponsored by the campus' Performing Art Series, the concert will be at 8 p.m. at Grover Center. Tickets cost $13 for regular admission, $9 for seniors and $5 for students with an ID. Tickets are available at the Haning Hall box office or by calling 593-1780 between noon and 5:30 p.m. weekdays.
The weekend of events are sponsored in part by the Ohio University Alumni Association, campus colleges, First USA, Follett's University Bookstore, Peoples Bank, the Amerihost Inn, Significant Impact Awards, Athens McDonald's Restaurant, and the Ohio University Employees' Credit Union.
For Homecoming updates and more information, check out the Alumni Association's Web site at http://www.ohiou.edu/alum/ or call the Alumni Association Hotline at 614/597-ALUM.