Northern Michigan University’s 2018 Homecoming celebration will feature a full slate of activities for alumni and community members.
Special additions this year include the unveiling and dedication of a new Wildcat statue on campus, and the premiere of a documentary on the 1975 national champion football team. The following events are free, unless otherwise indicated.
A public dedication ceremony for a new bronze Wildcat statue near Jamrich Hall will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21. The statue will become a focal point on the academic mall and is likely to serve as a popular photo location for students and visitors. It is made possible through a gift from the estate of former NMU Board of Trustees chair and longtime NMU supporter Gil Ziegler (’60 BS).
The premiere of Put Your Hand on the Line, a documentary on the 1975 NCAA Division II national champion Wildcat football team, will follow at 4 p.m. Friday in Forest Roberts Theatre. Some members of the team will attend the showing.
The NMU Sports Hall of Fame social, program and dinner is scheduled at 5 p.m. Friday in the University Center Great Lakes Rooms. Tickets can be purchased at outlets or online for $25 for the general public or $10 for ages 10 and under. This year’s inductees are Richard “Dick” Allen, football; Tim Jones, wrestling; John LaPointe, football; Heather (Mizer) Sarnowski, volleyball; the late Kim (Storm) Ylitalo, swimming; and the 1997-98 women’s basketball team.
An all-alumni reception, with complimentary appetizers, music and NMU trivia, is scheduled from 7-10 p.m. Friday at the Landmark Inn.
Saturday will kick off with family-friendly community activities at NMU’s Olson Library: a Michigan eLibrary Bookflix Storytime from 9-10 a.m.; Bagels & Books, 9-11 a.m.; a poetry workshop for kids from 10-11; and large-scale versions of favorite board games from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The annual Homecoming parade will be held on a new day and traverse a new route. It begins at 2 p.m. Saturday from the back of the Superior Dome and will head down Front Street, turn right at Hewitt, then return up Third Street.
A tailgate party featuring music, lawn games and an optional BBQ buffet for purchase will be held outside the Dome beginning at 1:30, leading up to the 4 p.m. football game against Ferris State. A post-game reception with free food, a cash bar and music by Iron Daisy will close out the Homecoming celebration at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Holiday Inn.
For the full schedule and more information, visit nmu.edu/alumni/homecoming.
