Baylor Celebrates First Homecoming in Big 12 Conference Oct. 25-26

WACO, Texas - Homecoming, one of Baylor University's oldest and most cherished traditions, will attract approximately 25,000 alumni and their families from all over the nation as they celebrate Baylor's first Homecoming as a member of the Big 12 Conference Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26.
Homecoming has been an annual event at Baylor since 1909. In addition to a Homecoming parade, bonfire, football game, numerous class reunions, and musical variety shows, other entertainment will combine to produce what is believed to be the largest collegiate homecoming celebration in the nation.
The schedule of events will begin 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, when the Baylor Alumni Association will have its annual membership meeting at the Jesse H. Jones Theater in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center.
At 5 p.m. the Extra Special Class of '46 will be held in the Barfield Drawing Room of the Bill Daniel Student Center commemorating the 50th anniversary of this class. Tickets are $11.
Also at 5 p.m. The Golden Diploma Dinner will provide an opportunity for all Heritage Club members, regardless of class year, to share a meal at Harrington House Faculty Center. Tickets are $11.
Pigskin Revue, another Baylor tradition, will showcase award-winning student acts from the 1996 All-University Sing at 7 and 10:15 p.m. in Waco Hall. In response to a strong demand for tickets, Pigskin has added a Saturday performance at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Singspiration, an old-fashioned sing-along, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Trolleys will run to and from the campus before and after the program, and no tickets are required. Alumnus Ron Bowles will lead the group in hymns and choruses, and the BRH Choir is scheduled to perform.
Cabaret will feature a variety of student artists at 8 p.m. in the Hooper-Schaefer Fine Arts Center. Tickets are $7.50 per person.

Since 1909 students and alumni have "laid aside their dignity to utter college yells" at the annual pep rally and bonfire. Thousands of alumni and students are expected to attend at 9:30 p.m. on the intramural fields off Bagby Avenue to cheer the Baylor Bears to victory over the Iowa State Cyclones.
Events on Saturday will begin at 8 a.m. with the nation's oldest and largest collegiate homecoming parade. The procession will begin in downtown Waco, and the floats, bands and club representatives will wind their way for two miles back to campus.
The main event, the Homecoming game between Baylor and Iowa State, is scheduled for
1 p.m. at Floyd Casey Stadium. For game and ticket information, contact the Athletic Department at (817) 755-1234.
Graduates of the classes of '51, '56, '61, '66, '71, '76, '81, '86, '91 and the Class of '95 will gather at 6 p.m. at the Waco Convention Center for a buffet dinner in Chisholm Hall, then go to assigned rooms at 7 p.m. to meet with classmates. The buffet dinner will cost $11.
Extravaganza, one of Homecoming's newer traditions, will be held at 8 p.m. on Fifth Street in front of the Bill Daniel Student Center on campus. Alumni, students, family and friends are invited to the gala. Tickets are $5 each at the gate, or $4 in advance from the Baylor Chamber of Commerce at (817) 755-3322.
On Sunday at 9 a.m., a special Homecoming worship service will wrap up the weekend's events at Seventh & James Baptist Church. University musicians and administrators will join alumni in leading this worship. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
For more information about Homecoming events, call the Baylor Alumni Association at (817) 755-1121.