Football, festivities, fireworks highlight Homecoming 2002The University of Rhode Island’s Homecoming 2002 will be a week long celebration starting on Tuesday, Oct. 15 and ending with football, fireworks and more on Saturday, Oct. 19.
On the big day, when the Rams take on the University of Delaware on the gridiron at noon at Meade Stadium, there will also be post-game skating at the Bradford R. Boss Arena, tours of the Thomas M. Ryan Center, a Madden (video) Football Game Tournament in the Ryan Center, and a movie and fireworks on Keaney Plaza in the evening.
Since last fall, about two dozen members of the campus and surrounding communities have been meeting to develop a homecoming celebration that would appeal to students, alumni, local residents and faculty and staff.
“Our friends from Narragansett had many good ideas, along with our alumni and students,” said Dean of Students Fran Cohen. “Our events represent what these dedicated people want URI to be about during Homecoming. It’s to their credit that the Narragansett residents and our alumni participated throughout the process.”
Cohen said many of the activities are free.
In conjunction with the University’s policy, all official URI events will be alcohol free. “The goal is to provide a safe, festive environment for our students, alumni and their families and faculty and staff,” Cohen said.
Throughout the week, students in residence halls and fraternity and sorority members will be preparing floats for display before the game. “Each of the floats will reflect an era of URI starting in the 1940s,” Cohen said.
The action really heats up on Thursday, Oct. 17 with a bonfire and the crowning of the homecoming king and queen on the Keaney Plaza. Following the bonfire, there will be a student dance in the Ram’s Den.
Saturday, Oct. 19, is the big day and it starts with the second annual Homecoming 5K race at 9 a.m., and continues at 10 on the Keaney Plaza with floats, games, contests, prizes, music and food.
At 11:45, members of the Rhode Island Air National Guard will deliver the game ball by parachute to the 50-yard-line of Meade Stadium.
“We’re all pleased with this program because it is centered on the Kingston Campus,” Cohen said. “Our students and other members of the committee demanded that the focus of the celebration be our beautiful campus. That makes so much sense because that’s where many of most cherished memories are.”
By Dave Lavallee
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