University of Louisiana at Lafayette fans and alumni will be celebrating as Homecoming 2005 activities get into full swing. This year's theme is “There's No Place Like Home.”
Activities begin on Oct. 23 and continue until Oct. 29 when Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns take on Troy University at 4 p.m. at Cajun Field.
The UL Lafayette Triathlon on Oct. 23 gets a week of activities started. The triathlon, sponsored by Bourgeois Student Aquatic Center, will start at 7:30 a.m. Those interested can call 851-AQUA for more details.
Mass for the Homecoming Court will start at 11 a.m. and will be held at Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church on campus. Later that afternoon, from 5 to 6 p.m., the public is invited to view student spirit displays in front of Dupré Library.
On Oct. 24 Homecoming fun will continue with a cake giveaway and spirit banner contest at 11:45 a.m. Throughout the day, the whole community can get involved by wearing red or decorating their vehicles in Ragin' Cajun colors.
And, in keeping with tradition, a huge kick off party will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 24 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. 25, 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 to win top honors. All participants must arrive at the Student Union Ballroom for 5 p.m. roll call. Following the Car Rally, a drive-in movie “Remember the Titans” will be shown at Cajun Field parking lot at 8 p.m.
On Oct. 26, 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 25-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.
Thursday, Oct. 27, the University of Louisiana Symphony will present a Halloween Concert in Angelle Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. The N.P.H.C. will also provide entertainment with their Step Show in the Student Union Ballroom at 8 p.m.
Homecoming activities continue Oct. 28 with the annual “Paint the Town Red” contest for schools at 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Schools within Lafayette Parish are encouraged to decorate their schools in UL Lafayette fashion for the contest. The fun will continue with a tennis tournament at 8 a.m. at Bourgeois Courts and golf tournament at noon at Les Vieux Chenes golf course.
On Friday, everyone is also encouraged to wear Red and White 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, Oct. 29, 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 parade route.
Pre-game activities at Cajun Field will begin with registration for the Tailgating Cook-Off and spirit competition at noon. Pre-game tailgating will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Then at 4 p.m., Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns will take on Troy University at Cajun Field.
For more information about homecoming 2005 activities, contact Louisiana's Alumni Association at 482-0900 or the Union Program Council at 482-6939.