Welcome Home, Wildcats

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 22, 2010) – Time honored traditions and reconnecting with old friends are highlights of the UK Homecoming experience. This weekend offers numerous opportunities for Wildcats to make memories with new and old friends alike.

The weekend starts on Friday at one of UK’s favorite pastimes, live racing at Keeneland! Friday is “see blue.” Day at Keeneland and offers free admission for UK students, faculty, staff and alumni with their valid ID cards. The day will feature activities for all Wildcat fans. Former UK football coach Rich Brooks and Tom Leach, UK alumnus and Voice of the Wildcats, will be on hand for a book signing from 1 - 2:30 p.m. adjacent to the paddock area. Following the book signing, former Wildcat and current Indianapolis Colt Jacob Tamme will be signing commemorative UK/Keeneland “see blue.” hats from 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Hats can be purchased at Fan Outfitters (on site and at all retail outlets) or the Keeneland Gift Shop for $15. Proceeds from the hats will benefit DanceBlue, the state’s largest student-run philanthropy.

After a day at the races, everyone is encouraged to come to campus for Homecoming pep rally and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Annual Homecoming Step Show. The pep rally kicks off at 6 p.m. on Stoll Field with Head Football Coach Joker Phillips, former UK greats, the band, the cheerleaders and, of course, the Wildcat! A meal of tailgating favorites will be available for just $5. After the pep rally, head over to the NPHC Step Show at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Coliseum. UK Greeks will amaze and entertain you with their intricate steps and elaborate performances. Tickets are available in advance at www.ticketmaster.com or in the Student Center Ticket Office; tickets are $10 for students and $12 for the general public in advance or $20 at the door with a portion of the proceeds going to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Bluegrass and AVOL.

Saturday kicks off with the annual Homecoming parade. All campus organizations are encouraged to be represented in the parade by creating their own floats. The parade begins at 9 a.m. and departs from Memorial Coliseum and winds through campus towards Cooper Drive. UK’s Alumni Association is hosting a parade watch breakfast at the King Alumni House that morning. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. and costs $5 for Alumni Association members, $8 for nonmembers and is free for children 12 and under; visit www.ukalumni.net to register for the breakfast.

Several colleges are hosting alumni gatherings throughout the day, as is the Alumni Association. Breakfasts, tailgates and Classes without Quizzes are just a few of the day’s events (see the schedule below for complete details).

Saturday evening highlights include the Lyman T. Johnson Homecoming Gala, which features the annual awards ceremony, the Black Greek Hall of Fame induction and a comedy show and R&B lounge. Then at 7:30 p.m. Wildcat fans will fill Commonwealth Stadium for the Homecoming football game, featuring our University of Kentucky Wildcats facing off against the Georgia Bulldogs. At halftime of the game, the 2010 Homecoming Royalty Court will be recognized on the field and the 2010 Homecoming king and queen will be named. Also, student organizations will learn who have won the coveted Wildcat Cup and been named champions of Homecoming.

For a complete list of Homecoming events, visit www.ukhomecoming.com.

Homecoming 2010: Wildcats Roaring Through the Decades is brought to you by the Student Homecoming Coalition and the UK Alumni Association.

EVENTS FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 22

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“see blue.” Day at Keeneland

Gates open at 11:00 a.m., Keeneland

Registration: FREE for UK students, faculty, staff and UK Alumni Association members with a valid ID

Sponsors: The University of Kentucky, UK Alumni Association, Keeneland and DanceBlue

Kick off University of Kentucky's homecoming weekend with “see blue.” Day at Keeneland. Free general admission for UK students, staff, alumni and faculty with ID and activities for all Wildcat fans! Join us as we celebrate Homecoming weekend and help us raise money for UK's DanceBlue fundraiser to benefit UK's Pediatric Oncology Unit. Commemorative hats will be sold at Fan Outfitters and the Keeneland Gift Shop for $15 with all proceeds going to DanceBlue. Former Wildcat Football Coach Rich Brooks will be on hand for a book signing from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Former Wildcat and current Indianapolis Colts tight end Jacob Tamme will be signing the commemorative hats from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Remember to wear BLUE!

Homecoming Pep Rally

6 - 8 p.m., Stoll Field (across from Memorial Coliseum)

Sponsors: Student Activities Board and the SAB Traditions Committee, UK Alumni Association and UK Athletics

Get excited about the Homecoming game by coming to this pep rally that will feature appearances by Head Coach Joker Phillips, former players, cheerleaders, band and other fun activities. You can also enjoy a delicious cookout at Stoll Field for just $5. The first 200 UK Alumni Association members in attendance will receive a free gift.

College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame Induction and Scholarship Ceremony

6:30 p.m. Reception; 7:30 p.m. Dinner, Keene Barn and Entertainment Center at Keeneland

Registration: $70/person. To register for this event please visit www.ukalumni.net/AStailgate.

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NPHC Annual Homecoming Step Show

7:30 p.m.; Doors open at 6:30 p.m., Memorial Coliseum

Ticket Information: Tickets are available at the Student Center Ticket Office and www.ticketmaster.com. UK student tickets are $10 in advance with a valid UK ID and general public tickets are $12 in advance. All tickets will be $20 the day of show.

Sponsor: National Pan-Hellenic Council

EVENTS FOR SATURDAY, OCT. 23

Parade Watch Breakfast

8 – 9:30 a.m., King Alumni House

Enjoy a delicious breakfast featuring fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, pastries, biscuits and gravy and more. During breakfast, you can step outside and watch as the 2010 UK Homecoming parade passes in front of the King Alumni House. The cost is $5 for UKAA members, $8 for nonmembers and free for children 12 and under; visit www.ukalumni.net to register.

College of Engineering Homecoming Breakfast

8 – 10 a.m., Raymond Student Commons of the Ralph G. Anderson Building

All College of Engineering alumni and families are invited to attend a Homecoming breakfast. Catch up with old friends and reminisce about your experiences in the College of Engineering. The event is $10 per person. Visit www.ukhomecoming.com to register.

Gatton College of Business and Economics Homecoming Breakfast

8 – 10 a.m., Gatton College of Business and Economics Atrium

The Gatton College of Business and Economics will host a Homecoming Breakfast to honor its 50th anniversary alumni, who will receive special recognition. All alumni are encouraged to attend this event. The event is $10 per person. Visit www.ukhomecoming.com to register.

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Homecoming Parade

Beginning at 9 a.m. at Memorial Coliseum.

The route will take the parade up Avenue of Champions and will take a RIGHT onto Rose Street. The parade will then take a LEFT onto Hugelet and another RIGHT onto University Drive. The parade will conclude at the corner of University Drive and Cooper Drive.

Classes Without Quizzes

10 – 11 a.m., Dickey Hall Classroom Building

Go back to class, reminisce about your days as a UK student, and learn something new along the way in one of two classes. Registration is free; visit www.ukalumni.net to register.

·         Join UK College of Nursing Professor Janet Forren to learn about ‘The Changing Nature of Surgical Care.' She'll give us the reason behind shorter hospital stays, more outpatient procedures and how to manage post-op symptoms at home. 

·         Join Doug Boyd, director of the Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History at UK, for “A Look Into the Big Blue Archives.” Take a trip down Wildcat Memory Lane and enjoy a special Big Blue Archives presentation featuring some of your favorite Kentucky greats including Coach Adolph Rupp, Bill Keightley and Claude Sullivan.

College of Nursing Homecoming Brunch Honoring 50 Outstanding Alumni

10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Signature Club at Lansdowne

The College of Nursing Alumni Association (CONAA) is sponsoring its annual Homecoming Brunch and will recognize 50 outstanding alumni as part of their 50th Anniversary Celebration. The cost is $35 per person. To reserve a spot, please contact Laurel Martin at 859-323-6635 or laurel.martin@uky.edu

Campus Tour

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Tour departs from and returns to the King Alumni House.

View the changes on UK's campus during this bus tour, with stops at the Main Building, W. T. Young Library and the newly renovated UK Bookstore. Enjoy a complimentary light lunch at the King Alumni House. Registration is $5 per person, children 12 and under free; visit www.ukalumni.net to register.

College of Agriculture and School of Human Environmental Sciences 25 and 50 Year Reunion

4 p.m. or 3 hours prior to kick off, E. S. Good Barn

Graduates from the Class of 1985 and 1960 are invited to an afternoon or reminiscing and a tailgate dinner. Registration is $15 per person; visit www.ukhomecoming.com to register.

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Lyman T. Johnson Homecoming Gala

6 - 11 p.m., UK Student Center

Join fellow alumni and friends for a night of fun and fellowship. The registration fee gets you access to all of the activities, food and entertainment for the evening. Events include: Awards and Recognition Program, Black Greek Hall of Fame Installation and step show, Jazz Cafe and R&B Lounge, Comedy Show and the Class Reunion/Memory Room. Registration is $35 per person, $50 per couple and $12 per child (12 and under).

Other attractions included in the fee for the Homecoming Gala:

•Jazz Cafe and R&B Lounge

Performance by SOUSE – The three-time nominated by the Cincinnati Entertainment Awards as the "Best R&B" and "Best Jam/Fusion" act, Souse is comprised of seven talented musicians who are dedicated to forging a new sound for funk, jazz and fusion lovers.

•Comedy Show

Enjoy a performance by Lexington Native and 2002 UK graduate Angel Laketa Moore. After graduating, Moore moved to Los Angeles and worked on NBC's hit television show “ER” for the final three seasons. She currently performs standup comedy with the all female troupe Foxy Brown Comedy.

•Class Reunion/Memory Room

20th Annual Lyman T. Johnson Awards and Recognition Program

7 p.m., Center Theater

Please join fellow alumni and friends for a night of fun and fellowship. Awards will be presented to deserving African-American alumni, faculty, staff and students.

Black Greek Hall of Fame Installation and Step Show

8 p.m., Worsham Theater

The inaugural class of outstanding alumni, who were members of predominantly black Greek letter organizations as undergraduates, will be honored and inducted during a special program. The evening will include an alumni Greek step show and a special tribute to chapters celebrating anniversaries.

Tailgate Tent Party

5 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium lot, grassy area outside Gate 4

Enjoy tailgate food along with exciting games, entertainment, face painting, giveaways and performances by the UK Cheerleaders, mascot and pep band at this tent party. Food will be provided courtesy of O'Charley's. The cost is $5 for UKAA members, $10 for nonmembers and free for children 12 and under; visit www.ukalumni.net to register.

College of Arts and Sciences Tailgate

5 p.m., tent located next to E. S. Good Barn on the corner of University Dr. and Farm Rd.

Enjoy food from Billy's Bar-B-Q and live bluegrass music at the college's tent. There are only 100 football game tickets that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit four tickets per alum. Registration is $25 per person without game ticket; $75 per person with game ticket. To register for this event, visit www.ukalumni.net/AStailgate.

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Georgia vs. UK Football Game

7:30 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium

It's Cats versus Bulldogs as UK takes on Georgia in the 2010 Homecoming game. A limited number of tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com.

EVENTS FOR SUNDAY, OCT. 24

Farewell Breakfast

8 – 10 a.m., Crowne Plaza Lexington – The Campbell House

Say goodbye to new friends and former classmates during breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Lexington – The Campbell House. The cost is $5 for UKAA members, $8 for nonmembers and free for children 12 and under; visit www.ukalumni.net to register.