Published by Communications and Public Affairs 519 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338

News Release

September 15, 2006

Fun, Friends, Football Among Highlights of Homecoming 2006

Fun, food, football and spending time with family and friends are all on the roster for the University of Guelph’s Homecoming 2006, to be held Sept. 22 and 23.

“Homecoming fosters U of G spirit and support, and it’s important to welcome not only the University community and alumni but the entire city of Guelph as well,” said Jason Moreton, director of alumni affairs. “This promises to be an unforgettable event, and people won’t want to miss it.”

Homecoming begins Friday night with the Gryphon Club Hall of Fame dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Peter Clark Hall. This year’s list of inductees are Ron Bogart, football; Zoltan Hunyada, wrestling; Carl Jackson, football, wrestling and skiing; the late Jack Raithby; football; and the men’s golf team that won the 1992 OUAA championship. For ticket information, contact Janis Macpherson at Ext. 56133 or jmacpher@uoguelph.ca.

Reunions are also planned for the football teams of 1958, 1959 and 1996, the OAC class of ̕86 and Pi Beta Phi.

A fundraising aerobathon runs Saturday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Johnston Green. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and proceeds from the event will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph and Breaststrokes, U of G’s breast cancer dragon boat team.

An alumni fun run sponsored by the Human Kinetics and Human Biology Alumni Association also gets under way at 9 a.m. To register, send e-mail to atessari@uoguelph.ca.

The Glory Bowl, featuring alumni Gryphon football players, kicks off at 10 a.m. at Alumni Stadium.

The annual Homecoming barbecue and a “KidZone,” featuring face painting, inflatable slides, a kiddie ferris wheel, a craft area and a bug display, begin at 11:30 a.m. in the stadium. In addition, more than 20 community artisans and organizations will be setting up booths around campus.

The football game begins Saturday at 2 p.m. with the Gryphons hosting the University of Toronto Blues at the stadium. The Northern Ohio State 150-member marching band will perform at half-time.

Karen Zuccala, marketing and communications manager for the Department of Athletics, notes that a number of prizes will be given out, including a trip for two to Europe provided by Travel CUTS. In addition, RBC is sponsoring a punt, pass and kick event in which the prize is a semester of free tuition for a U of G student.

Admission to the game is $8 general, $6 for seniors and alumni and $4 for students. A family package of two adult and two student tickets is available for $20. In addition, those buying advance tickets will receive free transportation courtesy of Guelph Transit (just show your ticket to the bus driver).

For tickets and more information, visit www.gryphons.ca or call 519-82-GRYPH (519-824-7974).