Brigham Young University will celebrate Homecoming this fall with opening ceremonies Tuesday, Oct. 4, and continue with a busy week of events, culminating in a football game against San Jose State on Saturday, Oct. 8. The entire week focuses on the theme “Hold High the Torch,” which reflects the legacy of Gerrit de Jong, Jr., this year’s honored founder.
During Homecoming, alumni are invited to rediscover their alma mater, whether attending reunions, the Spectacular, the parade, or any of the other offerings. Students are also encouraged to participate in the activities.
Tuesday of Homecoming week will include the opening ceremonies, a free student barbecue and a hike to light the Y. Wednesday and Thursday will feature noonday activities and a Mr. BYU contest; noonday activities and honored alumni lectures presented by each college are scheduled for Thursday.
Homecoming Spectacular, with Broadway's Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell and featuring five of BYU’s top performing performing groups, will be a highlight of the week, with shows Thursday and Friday evening in the Marriott Center. On Friday, alumni, students, and friends will also enjoy noonday activities, reunions, and Homecoming dances.
Homecoming will wrap up Saturday, Oct. 8, after a full day that includes a Kids Race, the Cougar Run, a free blue pancake breakfast, the parade, tailgate parties, the football game, reunions and dances. The grand marshals for the parade are six 2011 BYU national champions: Justin Hedin, Brian Welrich, Chris Carter and Miles Batty, distance medley relay; Miles Batty, indoor one mile; Leif Arrhenius, shot put, and Lacey Bleasard, 800 meters.
Homecoming 2011 Calendar
Tuesday, Oct. 4
- 11:05 a.m., Homecoming opening ceremonies, Marriott Center
- Noon, BYUSA barbecue, Brigham Square
- 6 p.m., Hike and Light the Y, shuttles available from Hinckley Center
Wednesday, Oct. 5
- Noonday activities, Brigham Square
- 7 p.m., Mr. BYU competition, Joseph Smith Auditorium
Thursday, Oct. 6
- 11 a.m., College Honored Alumni lectures
- Noonday activities, Brigham Square
- 4 p.m., True Blue Football, Helaman Fields
- 7:30 p.m., BYU Spectacular! with Brian Stokes Mitchell
Friday, Oct. 7
- Noonday activities
- 7:30 p.m., BYU Spectacular! with Brian Stokes Mitchell
- 8:30 p.m., casual dance, “In the Strobe Light,” Wilkinson Ballroom
- 8:30 p.m., casual dance, “In the Firelight,” Studio 600, Center Street, Provo
- All day, reunions
Saturday, Oct. 8
- 8:45 a.m., Kid’s Race, BYU track
- 9:45 a.m., Cougar Run, BYU track
- 8:30 a.m., free pancake breakfast, Maeser stairs, Creamery on 9th, Sinclair station on southeast corner of campus, botany pond
- 10 a.m., Parade, starts in Marriott Center east parking lot
- 2 p.m. stadium tailgate, west stadium parking lot
- TBD, BYU vs. San Jose State football, Lavell Edwards Stadium
- 8 p.m., formal dance, “In the Starlight,” Manor at Riverwoods, Provo
- TBA, semi-formal dance, “In the Spotlight,” location TBD
