By NICK BUDD
Hays Post
Students and alumni will flock to the Fort Hays State University campus for the 2014 homecoming events this weekend. This year’s theme is “Once Upon A Time In Tigerland.”
Events will kick off on Thursday with the Tiger Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament at the Smoky Hill Country Club. Proceeds from the tournament benefit FHSU scholarships. There also will be a silent auction.
Due to weather conditions, the annual bonfire has been canceled. The pep rally is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Beach/Schmidt. The event will feature the T-Shirt Trade — bring in another school’s shirt and the first 50 people will get a new Tiger Gold on Friday shirt. Participants also are urged to bring a canned food item to help stock the university’s food pantry.
The Hays community is invited to join members of the football team, marching band and cheerleaders, 2014 Alumni Award recipients, and homecoming king/queen candidates to help the Tigers prepare for their homecoming matchup against Missouri Western on Saturday night.
The 6-3-1 FHSU men’s soccer team will play at 5 p.m. Thursday against Upper Iowa, as well. The Tigers are ranked 24th nationally.
Homecoming registration kicks off on Friday at 8 a.m. at the Memorial Union of the FHSU campus. Alumni and others can register and pick up prepaid tickets at the registration table and view reunion biographical sketches and copies of the Reveille. Alumni also can register on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Activities will continue on Friday at Oktoberfest at Frontier Park beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday with Honor Our Heritage activities before the official keg tapping at 11:30 a.m. The Honor Our Heritage activities are alcohol-free and all ages are invited.
As Oktoberfest continues through the day, along with the beer and food, attendees can attend several Volga-German demonstrations throughout the day including soap and saddle making and goat milking. Performers will be on stage throughout the entire day. The annual Alumni and Friends Awards and Recognition Banquet will begin at 6 p.m.
Festivities will continue Saturday with the 5K Tiger Run/Walk, the annual homecoming parade and game, and the dedication of Hammond Hall. Registration for the 5K will be at the Robbins Center at 7:30 a.m., and the race will begin at 8:30 a.m. Bob Dole and former FHSU President Edward Hammond will be on hand for the dedication of Hammond Hall, formerly the Center for Networked Learning, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The newest campus building houses the Informatics Department, Virtual College and CTELT. The annual homecoming parade is slated to begin at 1 p.m. through downtown Hays and the Homecoming game against Missouri Western will commence at 7 p.m.
A full list of homecoming events can be viewed HERE.