UL Lafayette graduates will kick up their heels and show their Ragin’ Cajun spirit at the Friday Night Warm Up: Fais Do-Do and Fall Fest.
The new Homecoming event is sponsored by the University’s Young Alumni Association. It will be held from 6-11 p.m. today, Oct. 31, at Blackham Colisuem.
Alumni can reconnect with their classmates, dance to music played by a deejay and enjoy S’mores and other refreshments around a small fire at the pep-rally style event, said Joelle Boudreaux, Homecoming 2014 chair.
About 50 alumni registered to participate in a caravan that will travel to a small, private pep rally, where they will wish the Ragin’ Cajuns good luck, before returning to Blackham Coliseum.
The Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns will square off against the South Alabama Jaguars at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Cajun Field.
The theme of this year’s Homecoming is “Ragin’ Cajuns Ever After,” a phrase that alludes to the recent widespread success of the University’s athletics teams.
The Ragin’ Cajuns won their third consecutive R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in December, the men’s basketball team earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament in March and the men’s tennis team won the Sun Belt Conference Championship in April. The Ragin’ Cajuns softball team made the school’s sixth appearance at the Women’s College World Series in May, the same month the baseball team was named the nation’s unanimous No. 1 team. CBS.com ranked UL Lafayette 34th in its Best in College Sports ranking in July.
Homecoming Day will begin Saturday with the Ragin' Road Race at 8 a.m., followed by the annual Homecoming Parade and tailgating at Cajun Field.
Runners and walkers can participate in a 5K race or a one-mile fun run. Each event will start and end at the Alumni Center.
The runs will conclude by 10 a.m. That’s when the annual Homecoming Parade will begin rolling at Blackham Coliseum.
The parade will travel east on Johnston Street, turn right onto St. Mary Boulevard, and end at the UL Lafayette Alumni Center, 600 E. St. Mary Blvd.
It will feature floats built and decorated by members of student organizations. The Pride of Acadiana Marching Band, University alumni, and the 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees also will participate in the parade.
Coaches from several of the University’s athletics teams will serve as grand marshals, said Michelle Bernard, traditions chair for the University Program Council.
The theme for Homecoming 2014 is “Ragin’ Cajuns Ever After,” which alludes to the fairy tale seasons experienced by many of the University’s sports teams.
A concert by the rhythm and blues group Krossfyre will begin at 1:30 p.m. on the stage located near Gate A of Cajun Field.
The Pride of Acadiana Marching Band will begin it’s Ragin’ March at 3 p.m. along Stadium Way.
The Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns will square off against the South Alabama Jaguars at 4 p.m.
Four Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns alumni who will be inducted into the University’s Athletic Hall of Fame at halftime of the Homecoming game will sign autographs before the game at the Alumni tent near the west entrance of Cajun Field.
They are: Michael Allen, basketball, 1991-1994; Steven Feehan, baseball, 1997-2000; Jill Robertson, softball, 2001-2005; and Matt Trevino, golf, 1995-1998.
Learn more about Homecoming 2014 events at louisiana.edu/homecoming.