University of Louisiana at Lafayette fans and alumni will be celebrating the past and looking to the future as Homecoming 2003 activities get into full swing. This year’s theme is “The Past was a Blast...The Best is Yet to Come.”
The Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns Homecoming celebration begins Oct. 5 and continues until Oct. 11 when the Ragin’ Cajuns take on ULM at 4 p.m. at Cajun Field.
Homecoming festivities kick off Oct. 5 with a Homecoming Mass at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel on the UL Lafayette campus. Following Mass, a private reception will be held for the Homecoming 2003 court. Later that afternoon from 5 to 6 p.m., the public is invited to view student spirit displays which will be on exhibit in front of Dupré Library.
On Oct. 6, Homecoming fun will continue with a cake giveaway and spirit banner contest at 11:45 a.m. at the Student Union. Throughout the day, the whole community can get involved with Homecoming just by wearing red or decorating their vehicles in Ragin’ Cajun colors. A spirit spot contest in which free game tickets will be given away will be ongoing throughout the week.
And in keeping with tradition, a huge kick off party will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 6 at the Alumni Center on St. Mary Boulevard. Fans, students and the whole community are invited to join the UL Lafayette cheerleaders, marching band and Ragin’ Jazz in cheering Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns to victory.
On Oct. 7, the student Car Rally is back by popular demand. UL Lafayette students will compete in this “scavenger hunt” game. Contestants will have to decipher given clues and make their way from check point to check point in an effort to win top honors. All participants must arrive at the Union Ballroom at 5:45 p.m. for roll call.
On Oct. 8, businesses in the community can show their Ragin’ Cajun pride by “Painting the Town Red.” This yearly tradition will go on from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, the more than 24-year traditional Yell Like Hell rally will be held at 7 p.m. in Blackham Coliseum. Everyone is invited to join members of various student organizations, sororities and fraternities for this rally. Students will perform dances and skits as they cheer on the football team. Also on Oct. 8, the Cajuns Can Care food drive will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at the Alumni Center.
Homecoming festivities continue Oct. 9 with a Greek Step Show in the Student Union Ballroom at 7 p.m.
On Friday, Oct. 10, a host of activities is slated, starting with the annual “Paint the Town Red” contests for schools at 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Schools within Lafayette Parish are encouraged to decorate their school in UL Lafayette fashion for the contest. The fun will continue with a tennis tournament at 8 a.m. at Campus Courts and a golf tournament at noon at Les Vieux Chenes golf course. Everyone is invited to wear red and white all day for Spirit Day. The University’s Wind Ensemble will entertain music lovers during a 7:30 p.m. Homecoming Concert at Angelle Hall.
On game day Saturday, Oct. 11, activities will kick into high gear as the Ragin’ Road Race takes to the streets at 8 a.m. An Open House will also be held at the Alumni Center starting at 9:30 a.m. UL Lafayette’s Homecoming Parade will roll at 10 a.m. beginning at Cajundome Boulevard onto Johnston Street and turning right at East St. Mary Boulevard. Fans are invited to watch the parade at the Alumni Center or anywhere along the route.
Pre-game activities at Cajun Field begin at 12:30 p.m. with the Tailgating Cook-Off. Pre-game tailgating will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Then at 4 p.m., Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns will take on ULM at Cajun Field.
For more information about Homecoming 2003 activities, contact Louisiana’s Alumni Association at 482-0900 or the Union Program Council at 483-6939.