Blue and Gold Weekend

First ever Blue & Gold Weekend features arts, athletics at EOU

April 29, 2019 LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University students, alumni and friends are invited to celebrate springtime on campus at the first-ever Blue and Gold Weekend on May 17 and 18 in La Grande.

Packed with arts, athletics and cultural activities, the weekend promises something for everyone and all ages.

“It’s about building connections and engagements with our community, alumni and students,” Athletic Director Anji Weissenfluh said.

The weekend begins with the opening performance of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at 7 p.m. Thursday evening. This year’s spring musical presented by the EOU theatre department brings the classic tragedy to life in McKenzie Theatre. Tickets are available for purchase at the box office in Loso Lobby and online.

On Friday afternoon, the Mountaineer Athletic Association hosts its Coaches’ Scramble at La Grande Country Club, followed by dinner and a poker tournament at 7 p.m. Attendees can participate in just the golf scramble, just the dinner, just the poker tournament, or any combination of the three for one registration price. Entry fees and proceeds benefit student-athlete scholarships through the EOU Foundation. Sign-ups are now open at eou.edu/alumni.

At 6 p.m. on Friday, EOU alumna Marguerite deCourcelle headlines the Futures in Gaming summit held in Hoke Union Building, room 339. DeCourcelle founded Blockade Games, which debuts its blockchain-based RPG this summer. EOU’s One-Up Game Club hosts deCourcelle to discuss her company and upcoming game, Neon District. Gamers will get to test a beta version of Neon District with One-Up Game Club members.

A second performance of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, as does the Grand Entry to the Indian Arts Festival and Pow Wow in Quinn Coliseum. A long-standing tradition, the pow wow is free and open to the public, and features vendors, foods and dances that celebrate Native cultures from the region.

Saturday begins with Family Fun Fest from 10 a.m. to noon on the soccer practice field. EOU student-athletes will facilitate free games and activities for children and families. The annual event fosters mentoring relationships and physical health among parents and kids.

Sign up ahead of time to reserve a spot for free in the Mary Horn-Edward Jones Tailgate Zone, which opens at 11 a.m. The men’s soccer alumni game starts at noon in Community Stadium, followed by the Football Spring Game at 2 p.m., and the women’s soccer alumni game at 4 p.m.

The day concludes with another performance of the musical and the second Pow Wow Grand Entry, in McKenzie Theatre and Quinn Coliseum. The Friendship Feast begins in Quinn Coliseum at 5 p.m.

Local businesses sponsoring the weekend include Lana Anderson, broker, of Blue Summit Realty Group, Teri Champlin, loan originator, of Fairway Mortgage and the EOU Foundation. View a complete schedule and sign up for events at eou.edu/alumni.