Homecoming to feature athletics, music, theater, tailgate party

The Lawrence University community-students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and supporters-will come together this weekend to celebrate Blue & White Homecoming.

The Nov. 1-2 celebration includes multiple athletic events, music and theater performances, a homecoming dance, a tailgate party, and more.

"What does it mean to be a Lawrentian? Blue & White Homecoming Weekend has all the answers," said Matt Baumler, associate vice president of Alumni and Constituency Engagement. "It's the ultimate celebration of our community, bringing together students, faculty, and staff with alumni, parents, and friends. And we do that through sport, music, performance, tradition, laughter, and lots of blue and white."

Blu will again be a big part of Homecoming Weekend, including at the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night. (Photo by Danny Damiani)

Four Vikings teams will be competing on Saturday: men's and women's cross country hosting the Midwest Conference Championship at 11 a.m. at Reid Golf Course; men's soccer vs. Grinnell at 11 a.m. at Banta Bowl; women's soccer vs. Grinnell at 1:30 p.m. at Banta Bowl; and Lawrence football vs. University of Chicago at 5 p.m. at Banta Bowl.

As part of the weekend, the men's basketball teams from 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06 will be inducted into the Lawrence Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame. They represent the most successful stretch of basketball in Lawrence history-NCAA DIII tournament appearances, a run to the Elite 8, and a No. 1 national ranking.

Among other highlights of Homecoming weekend:

• Working, the Fall Term musical, 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Stansbury Theater, Music-Drama Center.
• 150th Crescendo: Convergence - New Music Concert, featuring Lawrence flute and trombone ensembles; includes premieres of nine new works, 8 p.m. Friday in Memorial Chapel.
• Blue & White Homecoming Dance, 9 p.m. Friday in Warch Campus Center, with music from DJ Marcus.
• Blu's Central, a gathering from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday on the third floor of Warch Campus Center. Look for face painting, temporary tattoos, and giveaways to get Lawrentians fired up for the day's games.
• True crime author Harry MacLean '64 presentation and discussion, 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Warch Campus Cinema.
• Vikings Tailgate, 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Banta Bowl. The Fan Zone will feature food trucks, lawn games, music, and more, all leading up to the 5 p.m. football game.
• Cheer x Dance Campfire, 8 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday in the Gilboy Fire Ring at the SLUG garden. Enjoy a bonfire with s'mores and snacks.

For a full lineup of activities, including art exhibits, tours, and more, see the Blue & White Homecoming page.