University of Iowa News Release

Sept. 19, 2005

UI Celebrates Homecoming 2005

The University of Iowa will celebrate 2005 Homecoming with a week of events leading up to the Saturday, Oct. 1, football game against Illinois.

The annual homecoming parade through the streets of downtown Iowa City will begin at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30. This year's honored guest is Ron Steele, a news anchor and reporter with KWWL-TV in Waterloo and a 1973 University of Iowa journalism graduate.

To commemorate the event, a special button is on sale, and can be purchased for $2 at the University Book Store in the Iowa Memorial Union, Levitt Center for University Advancement and Liberty Bank. Commemorative t-shirts are available for $12 in the University Book Store.

This year's schedule of events includes:

--Sunday, Sept. 25. Kickoff Carnival, a gathering of current students and alumni, with food and refreshments. Iowa City and Coralville residents are also encouraged to attend. Noon to 4 p.m., Hubbard Park.

--Monday, Sept. 26. Blood Drive, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Second Floor Ballroom, Iowa Memorial Union.

--Tuesday, Sept.  27. Havoc at Hubbard, an outdoor sports competition with student groups competing to earn points. Students are encouraged to attend and watch. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Hubbard Park.

--Wednesday, Sept. 28. Sports Night. Meet current University of Iowa athletes and relive exciting moments in Hawkeye sports history. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be on sale. 6 to 9 p.m., University of Iowa Athletic Hall of Fame.

--Thursday, Sept. 29. Iowa Shout, an opportunity for Greek chapters and student organizations to show off their talents and creativity. Each pairing consists of a sorority and a fraternity or two student organizations pairing up to create a four minute skit, accompanied by dance. 7 to 10 p.m., Main Lounge, Iowa Memorial Union.

--Friday, Sept. 30. Parade, pep rally and concert includes the crowning of this year's homecoming king and queen. Some downtown streets will be blocked off for a short time to accommodate the parade. The concert will be performed by the rock group Better Than Ezra. 5:45 p.m., downtown and Pentacrest.

--Saturday, Oct. 1. Football versus Illinois. Kickoff time to be determined.

This year's homecoming sponsors include Liberty Bank, Marriott Hotel and Conference Center Coralville, Taco Bell and Goodfellow Printing.

STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa News Service, 300 Plaza Centre One, Suite 371, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2500.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Snee, 319-384-0010, tom-snee@uiowa.edu.