Homecoming traditions, reunions bring alumni together

Homecoming traditions, reunions bring alumni together

Sept. 22, 2021 LA GRANDE, Ore. –  Eastern Oregon University welcomes Mountaineer alumni and friends to celebrate their alma mater Oct. 8 to 10 on campus in La Grande with a host of homecoming festivities. 

The weekend begins Friday morning at the Mountaineer Athletic Association’s annual Scholarship Golf Scramble at Buffalo Peak Golf Course in Union, sponsored by Side A Brewing. Mountaineer fans and alumni join student-athletes and coaches for a friendly golf tournament fundraiser in support of scholarships. 

The Homecoming Parade sets off from Max Square at 5 p.m. that evening with clubs, teams and local businesses marching through downtown La Grande. 

Following the parade, the Alumni Association will honor Distinguished Alumnus Kale Cockett, ’95, alongside Dixie Lund Service Award recipient Jer Pratton and Honorary Alumnus Bob Stubbs at 6:30 p.m. 

Cockett served in the Secret Service, providing security for presidents and dignitaries. Pratton, a long-time educator in rural Oregon, served on EOU’s inaugural governing board. Stubbs has worked steadily toward obtaining a bachelor’s degree since he was 17, including through distance education at EOU since 2007. The 81-year-old had to put away the textbooks last year under doctor’s orders, and a host of advocates spoke in favor of granting his lifelong dream. 

The 1980 baseball team will also be inducted into EOU’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The ceremony and reception take place in the Gilbert Event Center on campus. In-person attendance will be limited and face coverings will be required in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Saturday morning, community members, alumni and friends of EOU are invited to participate in the Elkhorn Media Group Homecoming Run/Walk. 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 EOU President Tom Insko will share an update with attendees. The Alumni Association and the EOU Foundation conduct their annual meetings starting at 10 a.m. In-person attendance will be limited to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and face coverings will be required indoors.

Baseball alumni reunite for a game and reception at 9 a.m. at Pioneer Park. Softball alumni will relive their glory days with a fast-pitch exhibition game at 10 a.m., and athletics events abound throughout the weekend. Men’s and women’s basketball teams compete at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday in Quinn Coliseum, and the baseball team faces off at 10 a.m. Sunday at Pioneer Park. 

The weekend culminates with the Mountaineers’ homecoming match-up against Rocky Mountain College at 1 p.m. Saturday in Community Stadium. Skip the line and purchase your tickets in advance at eousports.com. Celebrations begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Centsable Wealth Management-Mary Horn Tailgate Zone. 

Local businesses sponsoring the four-day Homecoming line-up include Side A Brewing, Sodexo, Elkhorn Media Group, the EOU Foundation and Centsable Wealth Management – Mary Horn. 

All events will follow existing state, local and university guidelines for health and safety, including proper wearing of face coverings and physical distancing. For more information and a complete schedule, visit eou.edu/alumni/homecoming.