Homecoming 2018 promises tradition, surprises

Arts, athletics on display for Homecoming 2018

Oct. 11, 2018 LA GRANDE, Ore. –  Eastern Oregon University welcomes Mountaineer alumni and friends to celebrate their alma mater Oct. 18 through 21 on campus in La Grande with a host of homecoming festivities.

The weekend begins at the Choirs of the Valley concert at 7 p.m. Thursday evening in McKenzie Theatre. On Friday morning, the Mountaineer Athletic Association hosts its annual Scholarship Golf Scramble at Buffalo Peak Golf Course in Union. Mountaineer fans and alumni join student-athletes and coaches for a friendly golf tournament fundraiser in support of scholarships.

EOU’s Chamber Choir will host a special noon concert on Friday in McKenzie Theatre, before the Homecoming Parade sets off from Max Square at 5 p.m. Grand Marshal Riad Ajami, will lead more than 50 floats through downtown La Grande.

Following the parade, the Alumni Association will honor 2018 Distinguished Alumnus Fouad Ajami and Dixie Lund Service Award recipient Holly Kerfoot at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony and reception take place in the Gilbert Event Center on campus, and are free and open to the public.

Three individuals will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame during the ceremony. Track and field alumna Leah Merrell Gilbert will join baseball alumnus Jeff Davis in accepting their nominations to join the EOU Athletic Hall of Fame. Cross-country teams from 2000 to 2004 will also be inducted. Patty Herron will accept this year’s Mountaineer Athletic Legacy Award.

Softball alumni will relive their glory days with a fast-pitch exhibition game at 10 a.m. Saturday, and athletics events abound throughout the weekend. The EOU men’s and women’s soccer teams face-off against Corban at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, and against Northwest Christian University at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. All games take place in Community Stadium.

Community members, alumni, and friends of EOU are invited to participate in the Homecoming Run/Walk Saturday morning. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., and attendees can choose from a 5K, 10K or kids’ one-mile route that begins near Zabel and Ackerman halls in the center of campus.

The EOU Alumni Association hosts a breakfast for alumni starting at 9 a.m. in the Hoke Community Room, and the group conducts its annual meeting in the same location starting at 10 a.m.

The weekend culminates with the Mountaineers’ homecoming match-up against Montana Tech University at 1 p.m. Saturday in Community Stadium. Skip the line and purchase your tickets in advance at eousports.com. Celebrations begin at 10 a.m. in the Edward Jones-Mary Horn Tailgate Zone, and continue in Quinn Coliseum after the game concludes. Alumni and fans mingle during 5th Quarter in the foyer while women’s and men’s basketball alumni play in the main gym at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Homecoming this year coincides with the Eastern Oregon Film Festival, held in downtown La Grande. Visit eofilmfest.com for more information and a full schedule.

Local businesses sponsoring the four-day Homecoming line-up include Red Cross Drug Store, Les Schwab – La Grande, the EOU Foundation, and Edward Jones – Mary Horn. For more information about EOU Homecoming and a complete schedule, visit eou.edu/alumni/homecoming.